Patent EP-2899337-A1 (EP)
Inventor: HISCOCKS BRIAN
IPC: E05B19/00
Filed: 2014-10-20
Abstract: A lock system is provided. The system includes a lock (110) which includes a lock housing (118) having a cylindrical cavity (116) for receiving a rotatable lock core (112). The housing (118) has upon its internal surface a longitudinal slot (130). A substantially cylindrical lock core (112) arranged within the cylindrical cavity (116). The lock core (112) has a keyway (119) formed therein and extending longitudinally from an end face of the lock core (112). The lock core (112) further includes a plurality of guide bores (120) which extend outwardly from the keyway (119) and communicate therewith. Each guide bore (120) is adapted to receive a locking pin (122). Coding on a key blade (144) inserted into the keyway (119) causes each locking pin (122) to move along the respective guide bore (120). The lock core (112) further includes a recess (124) extending outwardly from the plurality of guide bores (120) and communicating therewith. The recess (124) is adapted to receive a sidebar (126). The lock core (112) further includes a longitudinal channel (150). The channel (150) includes an opening (152) which communicates with the recess (124). The channel (150) is adapted to receive a slideable sidebar blocking member (154). A face plate (123) is arranged to be positioned at the end face of the lock core (112). The face plate (123) includes a keyway cutout (164) which aligns with the keyway (119). The face plate (123) further includes an additional cutout portion (166). The additional cutout portion (166) is located adjacent the keyway cutout (164) and is selectably positioned at one of a plurality of heights relative to the height of the keyway cutout (164). Each locking pin (122) includes a hole (136), the position of the hole (136) along the locking pin (122) dictating a locking combination for the respective locking pin (122). The sidebar (126) includes protrusions (128) which are directed inwardly towards the guide bores (120). The sidebar (126) is biased outwardly away from the guide bores (120) and into the longitudinal slot (130). The sidebar (126) further includes a blockable portion (160) which is arranged to protrude through the opening (152). The sidebar blocking member (154) is slideably arranged in the channel (150). The sidebar blocking member (154) includes a notch (158). The sidebar blocking member (154) is biased towards a position in which the notch (158) is not aligned with the opening (152), in which position the sidebar blocking member (154) presents a barrier to the blockable portion (160) and prevents the sidebar (126) from moving inwards towards the guide bores (120). The sidebar blocking member (154) further includes an engagement portion (162) which extends from and end of the sidebar blocking member (154) and is formed at one of a plurality of selectable heights with respect to the end of the sidebar blocking member (154). Each of the plurality of selectable heights of the engagement portion (162) corresponding respectively to one of the plurality of heights of the additional cutout portion (166) on the face plate (123). The engagement portion (162) is exposed to contact via the additional cutout portion (166) when the selected heights of the engagement portion (162) and the additional cutout portion (166) correspond. The system further includes a key (140) including a key handle (146) and a key blade (144) extending therefrom. The key blade (144) includes coded bitings (142). Upon insertion of the key blade (144) into the keyway (119), correctly coded bitings (142) move the locking pins (122) along the guide bores (120) until the holes (136) are aligned with the recess (124). The key (140) further includes an unblocking member (170) which operatively protrudes from the key handle (146) substantially parallel to and adjacent a side of the key blade (144). The unblocking member (170) is selectively positioned at one of a plurality of heights relative to the height of the key blade (144). Each of the plurality of heights corresponding respectively to one of the plurality of heights of the additional cutout portion (166) on the face plate (123). Operatively, during key blade (144) insertion into the keyway (119), the unblocking member (170), being positioned at a selected height corresponding with the selected height of the additional cutout portion (166), engages the exposed engagement portion (162) and moves the sidebar blocking member (154) to an unblocking position in which the notch (158) is aligned with the opening (152), in which unblocking position the sidebar blocking member (154) presents no barrier to the blockable portion (160). Turning the inserted key (140) causes the lock core (112) to attempt to rotate, causing the unblocked sidebar (126) to move inwardly against its bias and the inwardly directed protrusions (128) enter the aligned holes (136), whereby the unblocked sidebar (126) is capable of moving out of the longitudinal slot (130), thereby allowing the lock core (112) to rotate.