Patent Description:
More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a method and system for opening locks, which due to the particular arrangement thereof, enables locks to be opened much more easily, quickly and effectively in relation to the techniques used until now.

Different techniques used for opening locks with a cylinder, especially those used by locksmiths working for the police or other security agencies, firefighters, etc. are known in the current state of the art.

However, the different techniques known until now are either very sensitive to the protrusion of the cylinder with respect to the door, or require the use of additional screws and iron plates, as well as needing personnel with special expertise and skill in the sector of the art, in addition to requiring too much time in the execution thereof.

A method and a system for opening locks designed to be used in a lock equipped with a cylinder, rotor or tumbler, and an inlet channel in the rotor for an opening key is known from document <CIT>.

The present invention helps to solve and resolve the present problem, since it enables locks to be opened much more easily, quickly and effectively in relation to the techniques used until now.

The present invention has been developed with the aim of providing a method for opening locks, designed to be used in a lock equipped with a cylinder, rotor or tumbler, and an inlet channel into the rotor for an opening key, which comprises the following steps:.

Additionally, in the method for opening locks, after the penetration of the tool and the interlocking thereof in the inlet channel, the tool is tightened/rotated around the axial axis thereof.

Preferably, in the method for opening locks, the tool is tightened/rotated by means of a suitable tightening/rotating instrument.

Alternatively, in the method for opening locks, after breaking the cylinder and/or the rotor, the cylinder and/or the rotor is extracted.

Preferably, in the method for opening locks, the extraction takes place by means of a suitable extraction instrument.

Additionally, in the method for opening locks, the impingement gun is one of the instruments of the type commonly used for fastening or anchoring nails.

A system for opening locks, designed to be used in a lock equipped with a cylinder, rotor or tumbler, and an inlet channel in the rotor for an opening key, suitable for carrying out a method of the present invention, which comprises a tool with a geometry compatible with the opening key in relation to the same inlet channel and equipped with a tip and an axial axis, and an impingement gun enabled for the pressing, penetration and interlocking of the tool in the inlet channel of the lock.

Preferably, the system for opening locks comprises a tightening/rotating instrument enabled for tightening/rotating the tool around the axial axis thereof.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the tightening/rotating instrument comprises a wrench or similar.

Alternatively, the system for opening locks comprises an extraction instrument enabled for extracting the cylinder and/or the rotor.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the extraction instrument comprises a lever or crowbar or similar.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the tool has an end opposite from the tip thereof and enabled for tightening/rotating the same tool around the axial axis thereof by means of the tightening/rotating instrument.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the tool has a stop arranged in the region opposite from the tip thereof.

For example, in the system for opening locks, the tool is made of steel, with the following composition:.

Additionally, in the system for opening locks, the impingement gun is one of the instruments of the type commonly used for fastening or anchoring nails.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the impingement gun is detonating or powder-actuated.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the impingement gun uses gas.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the impingement gun is electric.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the impingement gun is pneumatic with air or oxygen.

Alternatively, in the system for opening locks, the impingement gun is the result of introducing some modification and/or adaptation in an impingement gun of the type commonly used for fastening or anchoring nails.

For example, in the use of an impingement gun for opening a lock, the impingement gun is of the type commonly used for fastening or anchoring nails.

Alternatively, in the use of an impingement gun for opening a lock, the impingement gun is detonating or powder-actuated.

Alternatively, in the use of an impingement gun for opening a lock, the impingement gun uses gas.

Alternatively, in the use of an impingement gun for opening a lock, the impingement gun is electric.

Alternatively, in the use of an impingement gun for opening a lock, the impingement gun is pneumatic with air or oxygen.

Thanks to the present invention, locks are able to be opened much more easily, quickly and effectively in relation to the techniques used until now, and it is very useful especially when used by locksmiths working for the police or other security agencies, firefighters, etc..

Other features and advantages of the method and system for opening locks, and use of an impingement gun for said purpose will be apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The method for opening locks of the present invention is intended for use in a lock <NUM> equipped with a cylinder <NUM>, rotor <NUM> or tumbler, and an inlet channel <NUM> in the rotor <NUM> of an opening key <NUM>, schematically shown in <FIG> and of the types already known in the state of the art.

Already in accordance with the invention, and as schematically shown in <FIG>, the method for opening locks of the proposed invention successively comprises the following steps.

First, positioning <NUM> and pre-insertion into the inlet channel <NUM> of the lock <NUM> of a tool <NUM> designed for said purpose is carried out from the outside of the lock <NUM> in question. Therefore, said tool <NUM> has a geometry which is compatible with the very opening key <NUM> with respect to the same inlet channel <NUM>.

Said positioning <NUM> and pre-insertion of the tool <NUM> is performed up to only one region of said tool <NUM> corresponding to the tip <NUM> thereof, and in a manner initially similar to inserting the same opening key <NUM> into said inlet channel <NUM>.

A pressing <NUM> is then performed by means of an impingement gun <NUM>, or other suitable means, on the same tool <NUM> in the inlet channel <NUM>, after the positioning <NUM> and pre-insertion thereof.

In different preferred embodiments, it can be very useful if the impingement gun <NUM> is of the type commonly used for fastening or anchoring nails.

As a consequence of the pressing <NUM> by means of the impingement gun <NUM>, a penetration <NUM> of most of said tool <NUM> is produced in the inlet channel <NUM>, and a consequent interlocking <NUM> of the tool <NUM> in the same inlet channel <NUM>, occupying a space similar to the corresponding opening key <NUM> in the same inlet channel <NUM>.

In the described method, after the penetration <NUM> of most of the tool <NUM> in the inlet channel <NUM> and the consequent interlocking <NUM> thereof, it may sometimes be necessary to tighten/rotate <NUM> the very tool <NUM> around the axial axis <NUM> thereof by means of a suitable tightening/rotating instrument, for example a wrench, and acting on the same tool <NUM> at the end <NUM> thereof protruding from the inlet channel <NUM> after the interlocking <NUM>.

The aforementioned interlocking <NUM> of the tool <NUM> in the inlet channel <NUM> consequently breaks <NUM> the cylinder <NUM>, approximately in half and in the weakest region thereof due to the existence of a hole <NUM> for attaching the very cylinder <NUM> in the same lock <NUM> by means of threading, as shown schematically in <FIG> before and after the breaking <NUM>, and sometimes with the help of the tightening/rotating <NUM> referred to above. The half of the cylinder <NUM> on the outside of the lock <NUM> can then be easily and manually removed, and the other half on the inside of the lock <NUM> shoots out of the same lock <NUM>.

On other occasions, as shown schematically in <FIG>, after the interlocking <NUM> of the tool <NUM> in the inlet channel <NUM>, the breaking <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> takes place longitudinally and along the holes <NUM> wherein the pins making up the combination of the lock <NUM> are housed, in the case, for example, of a flat opening key <NUM>.

After breaking <NUM> the cylinder <NUM> and/or rotor <NUM>, the opening <NUM> of the lock <NUM> can be performed.

On other occasions, after breaking <NUM> the cylinder <NUM> or the rotor <NUM> and/or if the aforementioned tightening/rotation <NUM> was not sufficient, an extraction <NUM> of the cylinder <NUM> or the rotor <NUM> is necessary by means of a suitable extraction instrument, such as a lever or a crowbar, then proceeding with the opening <NUM> of the lock <NUM>.

The invention also includes a system for opening locks, designed for use in the same lock <NUM> schematically shown in <FIG> and of the type already known in the state of the art, which is provided with a cylinder <NUM>, a rotor <NUM> or tumbler, and an inlet channel <NUM> in the rotor <NUM> for an opening key <NUM>. Said system for opening locks is suitable for carrying out the method described above.

The system for opening locks of the proposed invention comprises a tool <NUM> and an impingement gun <NUM> or other suitable means, which were already initially referred to in the description of the preceding method.

The tool <NUM> has a geometry which is compatible with the opening key <NUM>, in order to be able to be inserted through the inlet channel <NUM> of the very lock <NUM>. Therefore, the tool <NUM> can have different geometries, adapting to different types of inlet channels <NUM> according to different locks <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> schematically show a possible geometry of the tool <NUM>, in perspective view and multiview projection, respectively. In this case, the tool <NUM> better adapts to an opening key <NUM> known as a dimple key, and consequently breaks <NUM> the rotor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> schematically show another possible geometry of the tool <NUM>, in perspective view and multiview projection, respectively. In this case, the manoeuvre is for removal, and the tool <NUM> is much more universal and more adaptable to different types of opening keys <NUM>, and consequently breaks <NUM> the cylinder <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> schematically show another possible geometry of the tool <NUM>, in perspective view and multiview projection, respectively. In this case, the tool <NUM> better adapts to an opening key <NUM> known as a flat key, and consequently breaks <NUM> the rotor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The impingement gun <NUM> is enabled for the pressing <NUM> or driving and interlocking <NUM> of the tool <NUM> in the inlet channel <NUM> of the lock <NUM>, when the tool <NUM> has already been previously positioned <NUM> for said purpose.

Said impingement gun <NUM> may have different arrangements. It can be very useful for the impingement gun <NUM> to correspond to the type commonly used for fastening or anchoring nails, for example detonating or powder-actuated, using gas, being electric, pneumatic with air or oxygen, etc., such as the one shown in <FIG>.

The impingement gun <NUM> of the system for opening locks of the invention can even be the result of introducing some modification and/or adaptation in an impingement gun of the type commonly used in fastening or anchoring nails.

The system for opening locks of the invention can also comprise a tightening/rotating instrument, for example a wrench or similar not shown in the drawings since it is known in the state of the art, and enabled and/or suitable for tightening/rotating <NUM> the tool <NUM> at the end <NUM> thereof protruding from the inlet channel <NUM> and around the axial axis <NUM> thereof.

Said end <NUM> may be in turn adapted with an octagonal shape for the tightening/rotating <NUM> thereof, for example by means of a wrench, for example shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG>. This helps break <NUM> the cylinder <NUM> and/or rotor <NUM> in the method explained previously.

In other preferred embodiments, such as the one shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the tool <NUM> may have a stop <NUM> arranged in the region opposite from the tip <NUM> thereof. With this, the penetration <NUM> of the tool <NUM> in the inlet channel <NUM> is able to be limited up to said stop <NUM>, after the pressing <NUM> by means of the impingement gun <NUM>. If there is difficulty, this can also help in the subsequent removal of the same tool <NUM> by means of a lever or crowbar.

The tool <NUM> must be made with a composition suitable for the function thereof, for example from adequately tempered and quenched steel.

A suitable composition of the steel of the tool <NUM> in an analysis on casting is shown in the following table.

In other preferred embodiments, the system for opening locks of the invention may also comprise an extraction instrument previously referred to in the description of the method, for example a lever, crowbar or similar and not shown in the drawings since it is known in the state of the art.

Said extraction instrument is enabled and is suitable for the extraction <NUM> of the cylinder <NUM> and/or the rotor <NUM>, for example if the aforementioned tightening/rotation <NUM> was not sufficient. This circumstance could be likely to happen in the case of using a tool <NUM> with a geometry like the one shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>,<FIG>.

The method and system for opening locks, and use of an impingement gun for said purpose of the present invention involves considerable innovation and advantages or improvements, with respect to current instruments and techniques offered by the state of the art, and operating methods when working with said instruments.

In the methods and systems known in the state of the art, a self-drilling screw and the threading thereof in the cylinder <NUM> are required, which requires expertise and skill, and furthermore the extraction manoeuvre is necessary.

In the proposed invention, the manoeuvre can be a driving or removing motion, and since it lacks a screwing motion it is much faster, more efficient and easier when applied, and requires a much lower level of expertise and skill.

The present invention is completely innovative, since it simultaneously uses the tool <NUM> with the impingement gun <NUM>, without said impingement gun <NUM> being necessarily and initially designed for said purpose.

The actuation time is also much shorter compared to all the instruments and techniques known in the state of the art, which use methods of screwing, unlike the present invention which uses elements for driving or removing and cutting, thus reducing the degree of skill necessary for the person using it.

In the proposed invention, the breaking <NUM> of the cylinder <NUM> and/or the rotor <NUM>, without needing to break almost all the keyplates used in the state of the art, is a manoeuvre with a significant advantage over the state of the art known as an "extractor hood", which is not an easy manoeuvre, since it is common for the screws to break, which requires more time and expertise.

Said "extractor hood" manoeuvre is only suitable for Ezcurra keyplates and not in all situations, and it depends on how the keyplate is placed and the model of cylinder, which is often not suitable.

The proposed invention is extraordinarily effective, for example in the case of six-pin safety cylinders, and also in those comprising balls and discs actuated by springs, gravity and magnets, as well as in most keyplates, without needing to break the keyplates, with a much shorter actuation time, needing less expertise and ability.

In the case of a tool <NUM> with a geometry like the one shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG>, the penetration <NUM> and interlocking <NUM> of the same tool <NUM> in the inlet channel <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> can perfectly cause the pins of the rotor <NUM>, which make up the combination of the lock <NUM>, to come out and fall even simply due to gravity and without these breaking.

The proposed invention is very well adapted for locks <NUM> with multiple types of cylinders <NUM>, such as cylinders <NUM> with a European, oval, round, Swiss profile, etc..

The present invention is also perfectly adapted to locks <NUM> with multiple types of opening keys <NUM>, such as flat, dimpled, rounded, magnetic, solid, hollow, cruciform, tubular keys, etc..

Claim 1:
A method for opening locks, designed for use in a lock (<NUM>) equipped with a cylinder (<NUM>), rotor (<NUM>) or tumbler, and inlet channel (<NUM>) in the rotor (<NUM>) for an opening key (<NUM>), wherein it comprises the following steps:
a. Positioning (<NUM>) and pre-insertion into the inlet channel (<NUM>) of the lock (<NUM>) of a tool (<NUM>) designed for said purpose and said tool (<NUM>) having a geometry which is compatible with the opening key (<NUM>) in relation to the same inlet channel (<NUM>), and said positioning (<NUM>) and pre-insertion being up to only one region of said tool (<NUM>) corresponding to the tip (<NUM>) thereof, and in a manner initially similar to inserting the same opening key (<NUM>) into said inlet channel (<NUM>).
b. Pressing (<NUM>) by means of an impingement gun (<NUM>) on the same tool (<NUM>) in the inlet channel (<NUM>), after the positioning (<NUM>) and pre-insertion thereof.
c. Penetration (<NUM>) of said tool (<NUM>) into the inlet channel (<NUM>) as a consequence of the previous pressing (<NUM>), and interlocking (<NUM>) in the inlet channel (<NUM>), occupying a space similar to the corresponding opening key (<NUM>) in the same inlet channel (<NUM>).
d. Breaking (<NUM>) the cylinder (<NUM>) and/or rotor (<NUM>) as a consequence of the previous penetration (<NUM>) and interlocking (<NUM>).
e. Opening (<NUM>) of the lock (<NUM>).