Lock cylinder

Abstract: A lock cylinder (1), which can be assembled from several units, with a locking member (2) arranged in the central region and at least one locking mechanism (W) adjacent thereto, consists of a cylinder core (6) which comprises the key channel (7) and to which the tumblers (13) are allocated. A fit and turn connection is provided between a unit (3) allocated to the locking member (2) and the unit (4) containing the locking mechanism (W).

Description: The present invention relates to a lock cylinder which can be assembled from several units. Lock cylinders of this type are known from DE 37 38 832 A1, the lock cylinder being assembled from a central and two terminal units. If greater lengths of lock cylinder are required, interposed extension units can optionally be provided. The terminal units have, in the flange which is orientated radially to the lock cylinder core region supporting the cylinder core, two terminally admitted, superimposed pins which engage in the flange of the central piece and are fixed there by a transverse pin. If an extension unit is interposed, these pins pass through corresponding openings in the extension unit. Because of this, it is not possible to fit profile lock cylinders on this design with normal pin tumblers. Cylinder cores with a central projecting band which rest, on the one hand, in the terminal units and, on the other hand, in the central unit are also used in this design. Lock cylinders of this type are also known from US patent No 3 293 892, which describes and claims a lock assembly comprising first and second housings, a cam driver in each said housing, the driver of said first housing including a lock plug, a latch operator cam rotatably mounted between said housings, a spacer ferrule interposed between said cam and said second housing, said ferrule having an inner bore, a support bar fixed to said housings and maintaining said housings in abutting relation, respectively, with said cam and said ferrule, a pair of independently rotatable abutting link means for connecting said cam drivers selectively and alternatively to said cam, one said link means being longitudinally extensible, and including at least two relatively longitudinally movable cylindrical segments rotatably mounted in said ferrule, one said segment including a drive portion slidably extending from one segment to the other segment and locking said segments against relative rotation, each said link means having at its inner end a generally cylindrical wafer member, said wafer members being relatively rotatable and disposed in end-to-end abutting position, each said wafer member including a radially extending drive portion, a complemental drive portion on said cam adjacent said drive portions of said wafers, said wafers being axially reciprocable with respect to said cam to engage one only of said wafers in driving connection with said cam, spring means interposed between said second housing and said one link means for biasing said one link means toward said cam, normally to engage the wafer of said one link means with said cam, and clear the wafer member of said other link means from said cam, said other link means including portions positioned to be engaged and inwardly shifted by a key inserted into said plug, thereby to connect said wafer of said other link means with said cam and clear said wafer of said one link means therefrom. It is an object of the present invention to design a lock cylinder of this type such that, in addition to simple construction of the units, the units can be assembled quickly with easy handling to form a lock cylinder of suitable overall length. The invention provides a lock cylinder, which can be assembled from several units, with a locking member arranged in the central region and at least one locking mechanism adjacent thereto, said locking mechanism consisting of a cylinder core which comprises a key channel and to which tumblers are allocated, characterised by a fit and turn connection in the form of a bayonet connection between a unit allocated to the locking member and the unit containing the locking mechanism, said connection locking the two units against longitudinal movement. This design results in a lock cylinder, the units of which can be combined extremely simply to form a lock cylinder having the desired overall length. The units are divided up such that one of them contains the locking member and the other the locking mechanism. The combination of these units requires only a fitting together process and subsequent twisting to produce the lock cylinder straightaway. Assembly does not require any great practical skill either and can be carried out quickly. It can even be undertaken simply by unskilled laymen. Production of the bayonet connection produces a sturdy lock cylinder, the housing of which can absorb large axial forces. If a double lock cylinder is to be provided, it will be appreciated that the unit comprising the locking member is allocated a respective locking mechanism which is adjacent on both sides in the path of the bayonet connection. A very wide variety of overall lengths can be provided by means of units which are of different lengths and contain the locking mechanisms and units of different lengths equipped with the locking member. The components for the locking mechanism as well as coupling and locking member of the respective units can always be identical in design. Different lengths are then only bridged over by suitable spacer members. However, these do not adversely affect the production of the fit and turn connection. In particular, the bayonet connection is achieved by an annular band, located concentrically to the cylinder core axis, on one unit, which engages in a groove in the adjacent unit, mutual hooking of the two elements being achieved in the region of a lock cylinder housing flange. When two adjacent units are fitted together, therefore, the annular band of one unit engages initially in the groove in the adjacent unit. This position is secured by mutual pivoting of the two units, so that the housing flanges come into alignment with one another with simultaneous mutual hooking of these units. The hooking between the adjacent units can be adjusted so that the space for pin tumblers of normal design is not reduced. Pin tumblers can therefore be used and consequently give the lock cylinder high security. This bayonet connection even allows the lock cylinder to receive a certain orientation from one end to the other should the insertion opening in a door not be worked exactly. This case can arise, in particular, with thick doors of the type used, for example, for deep freeze room doors, owing to the relatively thickly dimensioned doors. However, the lock cylinder can easily be inserted. Finishing of the fitting opening, if it is not produced exactly, does not therefore have to be carried out. It is therefore possible to fix the units in their prescribed position. This can be carried out using a transverse screw which is provided in the hooking region. Further variations for achieving different overall lengths are thus possible by providing a tumbler-free extension unit which is also introduced by a bayonet connection between adjacent units. These extension units can be of different lengths or, alternatively, a plurality of such extension units can be inserted. Along with the introduction of extension units, spacer sleeves which form the extension of the cylinder core and serve to control the coupling can also be inserted. It is thus possible to form a stop for the axially aligned rotational end position of the flanges of adjacent units so that the prescribed orientation exists when the stop is reached when producing the bayonet connection. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view of a profile double cylinder formed from several units; Figure 2 is a section along line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the profile double cylinder substantially doubled in size; Figure 4 is a section along the line IV-IV of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a section along line V-V of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows the unit containing the locking mechanism and the unit comprising the locking member prior to fitting together; Figure 7 is a view in the direction of the arrow VII in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a view in the direction of the arrow VIII in Figure 6; Figure 9 is a section through the fitting plane along the line IX-IX in Figure 3 through the two units which have been fitted together but not yet turned with respect to one another; Figure 10 is a follow-up to Figure 9, the units having been turned with respect to one another such that the housing flanges of the two units are mutually aligned to produce hooking; Figure 11 shows, partly in elevation, partly in section, a cylinder housing having a greater overall length, which is achieved by greater overall unit lengths; Figure 12 also shows a lock cylinder housing of increased overall length which is created by the insertion of a tumbler-free extension unit; Figure 13 is a view corresponding to Figure 12, the central unit having been modified and an additional extension unit having been inserted; and Figure 14 shows, also in elevation and partly in section, a cylinder housing of increased overall length resulting from the insertion of units, dimensioned to suitable lengths, including extension units. According to Figures 1 and 10, the lock cylinder 1 designed as a profile double cylinder is assembled from a central unit 3 containing a locking member 2 and the two adjacent units 4 comprising the locking mechanisms W. The two units 4 are of equal length and are identical in design. The cylinder housing G formed by the units 3, 4 has a circular cylindrical portion A and a housing flange B oriented radially thereto, the housing flanges of mutually adjacent units being aligned with one another when the lock cylinder is assembled. A cylinder core 6 is mounted in a central bore 5 of the circular cylindrical portion A of each unit 4. The cylinder core 6 has, at the height of the cylinder core axis, a key channel 7 the longitudinal plane of which is perpendicular to the housing flange B. The cross-sectional profile of the key 8 is adapted to that of the key channel 7. Pin bores 9 of the cylinder core 6 correspond to the key channel 7, these pin bores 9 being aligned with pin bores 10 of the housing flange B. Two rows of pin bores 9, 10 are provided in a parallel arrangement such that in each case the bores of one row alternate with the bores of the other row. The pin bores 9, 10 receive pin tumblers 13 consisting of core pins 11 and housing pins 12 which are in turn loaded in the direction of the key channel 7 by pin springs 14. A non-rotatable arrangement of the pin tumblers 13 is produced owing to the suitable cross-sectional shape of the pin bores 9, 10 and the pin tumblers 13 guided therein. The ends of the pin tumblers 13 penetrating into the key channel 7 are flattened and are located by indentations (not shown) provided on the broad sides of the flat key 8 such that the separating line of the core pins 11 and the housing pins 12 comes to rest at the height of the rotational joint of the cylinder core so that the cylinder core can be rotated by means of the key. The pin tumblers 13 form the locking mechanism W in conjunction with the pin springs 14 and the cylinder core 6. The axial position of the cylinder core 6 is secured, on the one hand, by a frontal band 15 of increased cross section and, on the other hand, by a spring washer 16 which dips, at the internally located end of the cylinder core 6, into an annular groove 17. For receiving the spring washer 16, the unit 4 is equipped with a slot 18 which extends into the housing flange B. The end of the cylinder core 6 located within the housing has two successive bore portions 19, 20. The bore portion 19 of smaller diameter issues from the internal front edge of the cylinder core 6. At the height of the bore portion 19, the front end of the cylinder core 6 is equipped with a transverse slot 21 the length of which extends transversely to the key channel 7. The internally located front end of the cylinder core 6 extends inside the unit 4 in the bore 5 thereof. At the internally located end, the unit 4 containing the locking mechanism W has an annular band 22 arranged concentrically with the axis of the cylinder core. This is achieved by appropriate turning at the inner end of the unit. A cavity 23 is also worked in at the height of the transverse slot 18. The base 23' of the cavity extends concentrically with the axis of the cylinder core. A hook-type projection 24 is attached to the cavity 23. Its hook head 24' is also orientated concentrically with the axis of the cylinder core. The unit 3 equipped with the locking member 2 is provided centrally with a locking member recess 25 extending into the housing flange B, two cross pieces 26 of equal thickness, which extend parallel to one another, being formed. Niches 27 are formed in the region of the housing portion B on both sides of the cross pieces 26. Their base 27' is oriented concentrically with the cylinder core axis. The niches 27 are followed by hook-shaped projections 28 which point toward the cylinder core axis, the hook heads 28' of which also have the corresponding concentric course. The niches 27 serve to receive the hook-shaped projections 24 of the units 4 while the projections 28 of the central unit 4 extend into the cavities 23 thereof, producing a continuous face on the lock cylinder housing. A threaded bore 29 for the admission of a lock cylinder fastening screw is located beneath the locking member recesses 25 centrally in the housing flange B of the unit 3. Annular grooves 30 into which the annular bands 22 of the locking mechanism units 4 extend are worked from the external end faces of the cross pieces 26. The annular grooves 30 are followed by bores 31, the diameter of which corresponds to the bores 5. Spacer members 32 rest in the bores 31. The spacer members 32 are similar in construction to the internal ends of the cylinder cores 6. They have bore portions 33, 34 which, in turn, are arranged such that the one 33 of smaller diameter issues from the internal face end of the spacer member 32. The spacer member 32 is equipped there with a transverse slot 35 for the engagement of diametrally opposed coupling projections 36 of a cylindrical coupling piece 37. Such coupling projections 36 are provided in an aligned arrangement at both ends thereof. The coupling member 37 rests movably in the hub central wall 38 of a locking member hub 39 of the locking member 2. The locking member 2 is entrained by a transverse pin 40 in the hub central wall which penetrates a longitudinal slot 41 of the coupling piece 37. The spacer members 32 which, in turn, are fastened by spring washers 42 so as to be axially unmovable extend to the central wall of the hub. For this purpose, the spring washers 42 engage in annular grooves 43 of the spacer members 32. To allow the spacer members 32 to be entrained by the cylinder cores 6, entraining projections 44 issue from the front edges of the spacer members facing the cylinder cores and, in turn, project into the transverse slot 21 of the cylinder cores 6. A bore 45 is also provided centrally in the spacer member 32, to receive a displacement peg 46 which is controlled by the key tip 8' such that it displaces the coupling piece 32 during insertion of the key 8 such that the opposing coupling projections 36 enter the bore portion 34 of greater cross section of the corresponding spacer member 32 and do not impair rotation of the cylinder core receiving the key. The individual units 3, 4 are combined in the path of the fit and turn connection. For this purpose, the adjacent units 3, 4 are fitted together in a mutually offset position such that the annular band 22 dips into the annular groove 30. The position according to Figure 9 then exists. The units 3, 4 should then be turned relative to one another to produce the mutually aligned situation of the flanges B. The mutual hooking of the two units described above is achieved in the process. When fitting together the units, it is merely necessary to ensure that the entraining projections 44 of the spacer member 32 project into the transverse slot of the cylinder core 6. Figure 3 shows that the rotational end position of the fit and turn connection is secured by a transverse screw 47. The receiving bore for the transverse screw 47 is located in the central unit 3 and is orientated such that when the transverse screw 47 is turned in, it presses with its inner end on the hook-shaped projection 24 of the unit 4. The fact that the axially aligned rotational end position is reached by a stop is not illustrated. After loading thereof, the prescribed orientation always exists after twisting of the units. Figure 11 illustrates a cylinder housing G' of relatively great length. This is a result of the fact that, on the one hand, the two locking mechanism units 4' have a somewhat greater length than the units 4. Furthermore, the locking member unit 3' is also longer. This Figure shows that the cross pieces 26' have a greater width. Spacer members of greater length should be used according to these extensions. The cylinder cores would also have to be lengthened in design. The displacement pegs should also be correspondingly long in size. The cylinder housing G'' shown in Figure 12 has an even greater length. In addition to the structure illustrated in Figure 11, a further extension unit 48 is inserted between one locking mechanism unit 4' and the locking member unit 3'. This extension unit 48 also has, on opposing end faces, projections 49, 50 which hook in the adjacent units 3', 4'. The overall length of the cylinder housing G''' in Figure 13 is similar to that of the cylinder housing G'' illustrated in Figure 12. Only the assembly of the units varies. Locking mechanism units 4, 4' are selected as well as two extension units 48. The locking member unit 3'' in which cross pieces 26, 26' of different width are found is modified. The greater length of the cylinder housing G'''' illustrated in Figure 14 is achieved by the use of two locking mechanism units 4', two extension units 48 and one locking member unit 3'. It will be appreciated that the extension units also require spacer members which produce the connection to the cylinder cores 6 and co-operate with the spacer members on the coupling piece side. Displacement pegs of corresponding length should also be provided. It is quite possible to produce a cylinder length of 300 mm by assembling a lock cylinder from various units.

Claims: Lock cylinder (1), which can be assembled from several units, with a locking member (2) arranged in the central region and at least one locking mechanism (W) adjacent thereto, said locking mechanism consisting of a cylinder core (6) which comprises a key channel (7) and to which tumblers (13) are allocated, characterised by a fit and turn connection in the form of a bayonet connection between a unit (3) allocated to the locking member (2) and a unit (4) containing the locking mechanism (W), said connection locking the two units against longitudinal movement. Lock cylinder according to claim 1, characterised in that the bayonet connection is achieved by an annular band (22), lying concentrically with the axis of the cylinder core, of one unit (4) which engages in an annular groove (30) of the adjacent unit (3), mutual hooking of the two units (3, 4) being achieved in the region of a lock cylinder housing flange (B). Lock cylinder according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the rotational end position of the bayonet connection is secured. Lock cylinder according to claim 3, characterised in that security against rotation is achieved with a transverse screw (47). Lock cylinder according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises an extension unit (48) which is tumbler free. Lock cylinder according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a stop for the axially aligned rotational end position of the flanges (B) of mutually adjacent units.

Inventors: HAEUSER HERBERT PHILIPP, STEFANESCU ALEXANDER, HAEUSER, HERBERT PHILIPP, STEFANESCU, ALEXANDER, Häuser, Herbert Philipp
Applicants: DOM SICHERHEITSTECHNIK, DOM-SICHERHEITSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
Application year: 1992
Main classification: E05B9
IPC codes: E05B9