EP0367649B2 - Safety lock with disc tumblers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to locksmithing.

We currently know a lock device type comprising a fixed barrel, or barrel, integrally accommodating a socket which in turn houses one internal block comprising a stack of shaped washers coding, securely enclosed between two end discs, suitable for admitting panons from a wrench to a stop, to control the rotation of these panons and whether or not to allow them to pass through a slot outlet, formed in the end wall of the socket, for training purposes of at least one bolt.

Such a device has drawbacks of structure that can affect its resistance to possible breaking in.

A first drawback lies in the realization of the internal block. Indeed, although being jointly and securely enclosed between two end discs, the stack of washers coding does not form a compact body. Also, during an attempted break-in and in the case of training forced rotation of the internal block, each washer coding can, due to its small thickness, twist individually until you can access to the rear end disc passage slot.

Another drawback is the relatively large volume important separating the rear end disc of the internal block and the end wall of the socket. Indeed, in this volume is provided in the vicinity of the end disc rear, a set of shutter arms for the slot passage of the key formed in this end disc back. These arms, also called "ratchets" by man of art, seal, in a first position, this slot passage and retract, in a second position, to clear this slot so as to allow passage from the key to the exit wall of the end wall from the socket. Now it is possible, because of the distance from the shutter arms to the end wall of the socket, to push them in during a break-in, using an appropriate tool to clear the slot rear end disc passage in order to be able to access the exit slot and therefore the drive mechanism of the bolt of the lock.

Another disadvantage lies in the joining in rotation of the internal block with respect to the socket and the socket relative to the barrel. Currently, this solidarity is obtained by means of a pin, plugged in in the rear end disc, and crossing the socket, then the barrel, substantially perpendicular to their respective side wall. Such a pin can be easily sheared by introducing, during a break-in, a suitable tool sufficiently solid in the internal block then forcing it to turn until it gets shear of this pin. After this action, the internal block and the sleeve are then free to move in rotation and the key can then pass through the passage slot of the rear end disc in case the ratchets would have been sunk.

Another disadvantage of a lock device this type resides in the shape of the key entry slot, formed in the entry wall, i.e. the wall before the barrel. This shape generally follows a section transverse of the key imprint, which can facilitate fingerprinting by a malicious third party. Of more, the periphery of the panets of the key makes the reproduction relatively easy. This is still a disadvantage limiting the safety of such a device lock.

The invention aims to provide a solution to these problems and to obtain a high security lock device.

An object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks aforementioned by making major modifications, but simple to make, to the constituent elements of this lock device.

An object of the invention is to strengthen the cohesion of the internal block housed inside the current guns.

The invention also aims to modify the panetons keys used for this lock device for, on the one hand, take into account this arrangement tending to increase the consistency of the internal block, and for, else hand, making the reproduction of keys more difficult.

Another object of the invention is to make the depression more difficult ratchets.

Another object of the invention is to make it more difficult decoupling in rotation of the internal block relative to to the socket and the socket relative to the barrel.

Another object of the invention is to increase the difficulty taking a key impression on the barrel.

The invention therefore relates to a lock device of the type described above, in which the internal block further includes an intermediate disc, located between the two end discs and having a passage suitable for allowing access to the keys of the key up to said stop and their rotation, said disc intermediate presenting by its thickness and its surface high strength, compared to thin washers of the set of washers, to any attempted break-in tending to bend the shaped profile of coding of the washers.

In addition, according to the invention, the device comprises connecting means forming at least part of attachment means for securing the intermediate disc with said end discs and said washers coding.

The insertion of this end disc ensures great cohesion to the stack of coding washers, while making torsion attempts very difficult said washers and attempts to pierce the block internal.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the socket can accommodate, in addition, a terminal disc fixed inside of it in front of its end wall and comprising a passage slot homologous to the exit slot of this end wall.

In this way, most of the volume between the rear end disc of the inner block and the wall end of the socket is now occupied by a disc terminal, which prevents the insertion of ratchets when trying to break in using a tool appropriate.

Very advantageously, this terminal disc is secured of the internal block in rotation and can be fixed on the internal face of the end wall of the socket.

In addition, the internal block can be secured in barrel rotation through connecting means connected to the front end disc of the internal block, and to the rear face of the inlet wall (10), or front wall, of the barrel.

Thus, the forced rotation drive of the internal block and from the socket relative to the barrel, becomes very difficult.

In one embodiment, the end disc rear of the internal block comprises means forming projection, located on the front face of this disc, and susceptible to cooperate with the keys of the key when they have reached said stop, to authorize or not their rotation.

Thus, we significantly strengthen the security of the lock, since a key not adapted to the means forming protrusion, cannot access the passage slot of the rear end disc.

In order to further improve security, the block internal may include a set of at least three shutter arms (ratchet) cooperating mutually by their profile respective for, in a first position, sealing the rear end disc passage slot, and for retract, in a second position, to release this passage slot.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the key entry slot, located on the front wall of the barrel is rectangular, substantially adjusted with respect to around a cross section of the footprint of key.

Thus, particularly advantageously, the shape rectangular of this entry slit and its dimensioning make it more difficult to take the impression key by a malicious third party.

The invention also provides a key specific to cooperate with the lock device in question above.

For this purpose, the key has two symmetrically small knobs arranged on either side of the key shank and each comprising a transverse notch capable of cooperate with the passage of the intermediate disc. Through elsewhere, at least one of the panets has a notch longitudinal likely to cooperate with the means protruding, located on the front of the end disc back.

• les figures 1 et 2 représentent un fût du dispositif de serrure selon l'invention ;
• les figures 3 et 4 illustrent une clé coopérant avec le dispositif de serrure selon l'invention ;
• les figures 5 et 6 illustrent une douille du dispositif de serrure selon l'invention ;
• la figure 7 illustre, schématiquement, la douille des figures 5 et 6 logeant des constituants du dispositif de serrure selon l'invention ;
• les figures 8 et 8A illustrent un disque d'extrémité avant d'un bloc interne ;
• les figures 9 et 9A illustrent une rondelle conformée de codage d'un bloc interne;
• les figures 10 et 10A illustrent un disque intermédiaire d'un bloc interne ;
• les figures 11 et 11A illustrent un disque d'extrémité arrière d'un bloc interne ;
• les figures 12 et 12A illustrent un disque terminal du dispositif de serrure, selon l'invention ;
• les figures 13, 13A, 13B, 14, 14A, 14B, 15, 15A, 15B illustrent un jeu d'organes d'obturation du dispositif, selon l'invention ;
• les figures 16, 17 et 18 illustrent trois positions de ces organes d'obturation ; et
• les figures 19, 20 et 21 illustrent une variante de réalisation d'un des organes d'obturation.

In the description which follows, given by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figures 1 and 2 show a barrel of the lock device according to the invention;
• Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a key cooperating with the lock device according to the invention;
• Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a socket of the lock device according to the invention;
• FIG. 7 illustrates, diagrammatically, the socket of FIGS. 5 and 6 housing components of the lock device according to the invention;
• Figures 8 and 8A illustrate a front end disc of an internal block;
• Figures 9 and 9A illustrate a shaped washer coding an internal block;
• FIGS. 10 and 10A illustrate an intermediate disc of an internal block;
• Figures 11 and 11A illustrate a rear end disc of an inner block;
• Figures 12 and 12A illustrate a terminal disc of the lock device according to the invention;
• Figures 13, 13A, 13B, 14, 14A, 14B, 15, 15A, 15B illustrate a set of shutter members of the device according to the invention;
• Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate three positions of these shutter members; and
• Figures 19, 20 and 21 illustrate an alternative embodiment of one of the shutter members.

The drawings have, for the most part, many geometric elements of a certain character. At this title, they form an integral part of the description and may serve to better understand the detailed description below.

The different dimensions indicated below are not of course given as an example and are not limiting.

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a barrel 1 while that figure 2 illustrates a right view which is actually a view from the front as seen by a user placed in front of the barrel to introduce its key. Generally speaking, in the rest of the text, a front face will be a face facing forward of the barrel as opposed to a rear face and a front element will be a closer element from the front of the barrel as a rear element.

Barrel 1 is a hollow cylindrical part with a length minimum 45 mm with a front wall 10 fitted with a rectangular key entry slot 102. Those skilled in the art will understand that symmetry of revolution of the barrel makes it possible to represent this entry slit 102 in several positions. We have chosen to illustrate it here vertical position. We will see, later, that the illustrations other figures take into account, unless indicated on the contrary, from this vertical position of the entry slit.

A key used for this lock device is illustrated in Figure 3 and bears the reference 4. It comprises a rod 41 extended at one end by a ring key 43 and supporting, in the vicinity of its other end, symmetrically, two panets 40. Each of these plates has a transverse notch 45 of a predetermined depth and whose function will be explained below. Each paneton also has a longitudinal notch 44 of a predetermined depth, and located on the edge of the pad connecting to the rod 41 in the vicinity of the free end thereof, that is to say its front end. The function of these longitudinal notches 44 will be explained below.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the key, and in order to further increase security of the device, the rod of this key has a housing 46 containing means 47 suitable for cooperating, possibly remotely, with the means of the device lock, likely to convey information two states. These two states can represent presence or absence of key information in the lock device and condition, for example, electric opening of a bolt by an appropriate mechanism. These means 47 can be for example a electrical stud cooperating with an electrical contact or still a magnet cooperating with a relay arranged on or near the device. We can consider, in in this case, let the cooperation take place at a distance. For some reasons of simplicity, these means allowing to convey two-state information is not shown in the figures because their location in the device lock depends on the type of means used. It is however necessary to provide at least in barrel 1 and in the socket 2, passages 108 and 208 counterparts allowing to house at least some of these resources.

A cross section 42 of the imprint of this key is illustrated schematically in Figure 4. There finds the slice of the panetons 40 as well as that of the rod 41. In dotted lines, is represented, around this section 42, the trace of the entrance slit 102. The width of this inlet slot 102 is at least equal to the diameter of the rod 41 of the key 4 and, preferably, very slightly higher. So here, the width of this slit entry is around 5.5 mm for a diameter of key shank in the order of 4 mm. Likewise, the height of this entry slit is at least equal to the largest distance between two symmetrical points of the teeth panetons 40 and, preferably, slightly higher. For example, this height is of the order of 16 mm for a section height of the order of 15 mm. The rectangular shape of this entry slot 102 and its dimensioning thus make it more difficult to take the key fingerprint by a malicious third party.

In order to hide this entry slot 102, a cover 5 is provided in front of the front face 100 of the front wall 10 of the barrel. This cover 5 is movable in rotation around a axis 50 inserted, preferably, above the slot input 102 along its longitudinal axis of symmetry, from so as to hide by gravity this entry slot 102. The use of such a cover 5 protects the entrance drum 1, which is necessary in some applications and what was not foreseen in the devices of front lock.

Barrel 1 is securely attached to an opening such that a door, through, for example, four screws located in four holes 114 in the wall rear annular 11 of the barrel. We therefore notice that the drum 1 is "closed" at its front wall and opens out at its rear wall.

On the periphery of the rear, or internal face, 101, of the front wall 10 of the barrel 1, two holes are provided blind 103, preferably diametrically opposite.

It is also provided on the side wall of the barrel 1, at least two through passages 107, for example, diametrically opposed, whose function will be explained below.

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of a socket 2 intended to be housed in the barrel 1 and FIG. 6 illustrates a left view of this socket 2, that is to say a rear view.

This socket is also a cylindrical piece hollow, about 30 mm long, with a rear wall, or end wall, 21 provided with an outlet slot 212 crossing this rear wall from its face front, or internal, 210 to its rear face, or external, 211. The sleeve 2 is positioned in the barrel 1, so the exit slot 212 is offset by approximately pi / 2 radians relative to the entrance slot 102. So, this slot 212 is shown horizontal in the figure 6.

The socket 2 opens out at its end front and has two through passages 207 formed in the side wall and whose function will be explained below.

We now refer more particularly to the figure 7 to briefly describe the different constituents housed in socket 2.

This first houses an internal block 3 comprising a set of shaped coding washers 30, of which the role will be explained below, enclosed between a disc front end 31 and a rear end disc 32. These coding washers 30 have a varying thickness between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, while the thickness of the disc front end is of the order of 1.5 mm, while the thickness of the rear end disc is of the order of 3 mm.

The internal block also includes an intermediate disc 34 with a thickness of about 1.5 mm, interposed in the set of coding washers 30, and the function will be explained below.

Front and rear end discs, washers as well as the intermediate disk 34, are mutually secured by two screws 33 whose heads 330 are housed in housings, preferably diametrically opposite, formed in the end disc rear 32. The rod of each screw 33 passes through the washers coding and the intermediate disk 34 and then screws into threaded holes in the disc front end 31, head housing counterparts quote. The length of these screws 33 is such that, once the internal block 3 assembled, the end 331 of each screw 33 slightly exceeds this internal block, around about 1.5 mm, to be accommodated in the blind holes 103 provided in the front wall of the barrel 1.

We could have used other means of attachment to mutually secure the two end discs and the coding washers. We also notice that these same attachment means serve as means of connection to secure the internal block in rotation relative to at the barrel. We could also have imagined that a single screw enters a blind hole 103.

The internal block 3 is also secured in rotation relative to socket 2 via two pins 7 inserted in the rear end disc 32 and passing through the passages 207 made in the wall side of the socket. These passages 207 corresponding at the passages 107 of the barrel, the pins 7 also pass through these passages 107 to also secure in rotation of the sleeve relative to the barrel.

The length of the socket is such that, once positioned in the barrel, the distance between the front face 100 of the front wall 10 of the barrel and the rear face 211 of the rear wall 21 of the socket 2 is substantially equal to the length of the rod 41 of the key 4 between the ring key 43 and the bit 40. So when the key is completely inserted into the barrel and has passed through the socket, the key ring 43 abuts against the face before 100 of barrel 1, and the panetons are located outside the socket 2 so that it can be moved freely in rotation for training purposes of at least one bolt of the lock (not shown here).

In the rear end disc 32, is provided a horizontal passage slot 322, and the internal block 3 includes a set 6 of three shutter members this slot 322 whose characteristics will be explained below.

At the bottom of the socket, is glued on the front face 210 from the rear wall, or terminal 21, from the sleeve, a disc terminal 22 with a thickness of approximately 3 mm. This disc has a passage slot 222 homologous to the outlet slot 212 of the socket 2, that is to say placed horizontally. The rear end disc 32 of the internal block 3 is secured in rotation to the terminal disc 22 by a finger 324 mounted substantially perpendicularly between these two discs. The internal block 3 is thus secured in rotation relative to the socket 2.

Those skilled in the art thus understand that training forced rotation of the internal block 3 and of the sleeve 2 compared to the barrel is made highly difficult, of a share by cooperation of screws 33 with blind holes 103 and, on the other hand by the cooperation of finger 324 with the rear end disc 32 and the end disc 22.

The chances of shearing pins 7 are therefore greatly reduced.

We now refer more particularly to Figures 8, 8A-12 and 12A to describe in more detail the different washers and discs housed in the socket 2. For these figures, those bearing a number which is not suffixed A illustrate a view from the front and those suffixed A illustrate a view on the left by compared to the view from the front. Likewise, in order to facilitate the understanding, those skilled in the art will notice that these figures have been ordered on the same board since the bottom of it (Figures 8 and 8A) to the top of it (Figures 12 and 12A), so as to respect the order in which are housed the different washers and discs from the front of the barrel to the rear. Likewise, the position different passage slots provided in these different discs and washers corresponds to the position vertical of the entrance slot 102 of the barrel 1.

The front end disc 31 (Figures 8 and 8A) is crossed, from its front face 310 to its rear face 311, by a vertical passage slot 312 having the imprint of the key 4. On either side of this slot 312, are arranged, diametrically opposite, two threaded holes 315 intended to cooperate with the threaded rods screws 33.

At the periphery of this front end disc, are formed three notches 316a, 316b, 316c, the functions will be explained below. If we take as reference axis a longitudinal axis of symmetry slot 312, i.e. a vertical axis, oriented bottom up (bottom being on the bottom side of the board and the top being on the top side of the board), the notch 316a lies in a direction substantially an angle of 20 ° with respect to this reference axis, the notch 316b is in a direction making substantially an angle of 70 ° with respect to this axis of reference, while the notch 316c is substantially diametrically opposite to the notch 316a.

Figures 9 and 9A show one of the washers conforming coding 30. We find on this washer 30 two screw holes 305 homologated holes threaded 315 from the front end disc 31. Are provided also on the periphery of this washer, three notches 306a, 306b, 306c counterparts of the notches 316a, 316b, 316c of the front end disc 31. This coding washer 30 is crossed from its face front 300 to its rear face 301 by a passage of key 302 having a general cross-shaped profile but adapted to cooperate with the corresponding part of the paneton 40 of key 4. Indeed, each washer has a passage 302 having a profile adapted to its position in the internal block 3 and corresponding to the part of the paneton with which it will cooperate. All of the profiles of the passages 302 of all these washers 30 defines then a profile combined with that of the panetons 40 of key 4 and actually defines a coded combination that does not allow that the introduction of the key whose paneton presents the conjugate profile.

FIGS. 10 and 10A illustrate the intermediate disc 34 of the internal block 3. The key passage 342 of this intermediate disc has a cross-shaped profile with substantially equal branches. Are also provided at the periphery of this intermediate disc, three notches 346a, 346b, 346b counterparts of the notches 316a, 316b, 316c of the front end disc 31. Found on this intermediate disc, two screw passages 345, passing through this disc from its front face 340 to its rear face 341 and counterparts of the threaded holes 315. This intermediate disc is interposed between two coding washers, preferably substantially halfway between the two front and rear end discs. It thus makes it possible to ensure greater cohesion of the stack of coding washers and thereby make any attempt to twist them more difficult. It can also make it possible to oppose greater resistance to the possible drilling of the internal block.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the transverse notches 45 key spanners will cooperate with the cross profile of passage 342 of this intermediate disc to be able to admit the panetons of this key first to the rear end disc and then to authorize their rotation. Of course, the depth of transverse notches depends on the length of the branches profile of passage 342. Similarly, the longitudinal position of these transverse notches depends on the position of the intermediate disc in the stack of coding washers.

Figures 11 and 11 A show the end disc rear 32 of the internal block 3. The passage slot 322 is horizontal. In this disc, two housings are provided screws 325, tapered, hole counterparts 305 and 315. These housings 325 are suitable for housing the heads 330 of the screws 33 and flare from the front face 320 of the disc 32 to its rear face 321.

This rear end disc has two studs 328, located on the front face 320, and projecting substantially perpendicular to it. These studs are arranged substantially along the transverse axis of symmetry of the slot 322 and are also arranged substantially symmetrically about the axis middle longitudinal of this passage slot 322.

These protruding means 328 are susceptible to cooperate with the longitudinal notches 44 located at the front of the keys of the key. The height of these studs 328 and the depth of the longitudinal notches 44 are adjusted to allow cooperation.

We could have considered not providing the end disc rear than a single stud 328 located along the axis of transverse symmetry of the passage slot. In this case, in theory, only one longitudinal notch 44 would be necessary on the key. However, its ambiguity should be removed on the position when inserting the key into the barrel so that it can cooperate with the stud 328.

It is still better to plan in all the cases two symmetrical longitudinal notches 44.

In a housing 323 on the rear face 321 of this rear end disc 32, located in the upper part of this disc between the housing 325 and the notch 326a, is integrally disposed the finger 324 extending towards the rear substantially perpendicular to the rear face 321.

We also find in this end disc rear two blind holes 327 arranged diametrically opposite the periphery of this disc and clean to accommodate the two pins 7.

Figures 12 and 12A illustrate the terminal disc 22 having its passage slot 222 passing through it in part from its front face 220 to its rear face 221. This passage slot is horizontal. On the face before 220, in its upper part, a hole is made blind 223, counterpart of housing 323 and in which is intended to fit finger 324 in order to secure in rotation the internal block with the socket.

It should be noted here that the position of indentations 316a, 316b, 316c and counterparts, remove uncertainty on the vertical orientation of the passage slot 312. However, those skilled in the art will understand that it is quite possible to represent these different discs and washers by rotating them, for example 180 ° around an axis perpendicular to their plane medium, due to the symmetry of revolution of the device lock.

The family of figures 13, 14 and 15 describes respectively three shutters of the disc slot 322 rear end.

Each obturation member comprises an axis which connects to a first end, substantially perpendicular to the axis, an arm that man of art commonly called a ratchet. At a distance predetermined from this ratchet, connects substantially perpendicular to the axis, therefore substantially parallel ratchet, a pusher intended to cooperate with the keys of the key. Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrate respectively, very schematically, a front view of the three ratchets while the figures with the suffix A illustrate the profile of the corresponding ratchet, while that the affected figure illustrates the profile of the corresponding pusher. All these figures are represented here independently the position of the barrel entry slot.

Regarding the first obturation organ 6a (Figures 13, 13A, 13B), the pusher 62a is located at neighborhood of the end of the axis 61a opposite to that of to which the ratchet 60a is connected. This ratchet has a body 606a, connected to the axis 61a, to which is attached a beak 607a via a neck forming a notch 600a. The spout 607a has a flat surface 601a connecting to the bottom 609a of the notch. This flat surface 601a is extended by a recessed part substantially planar 602a which itself extends by a convex part 603a, that is to say turning its concavity towards the notch 600a, to be connected to axis 61a.

The shutter member 6b has a pusher 62b located substantially midway between ratchet 60b and the free end of the axis 61b. This pusher 62b presents a beak.

Ratchet 60b (Figure 14A) has support 600b substantially flat connecting to axis 61b by a small tail bent at right angles to the longitudinal direction medium support 600b. On this support 600b, a substantially flat protuberance is provided 601b, comprising a first pointed sector 602b and a second pointed sector 607b, separated from each other by two notches 606b and 605b. The first notch 606b is located on the side of the axis 61 b while the second notch 605b is located opposite the first. The first pointed sector 602b comprises a first branch 604b, connected to the first notch 606b, and a second branch 603b connected to the first branch 604b, to form the point, as well as at the second notch 605b. The second pointed sector 607b has its tip directed away from the tip of the first pointed sector and has a first branch 609b connected to the first notch 606b, as well as a second branch 610b connected to the first branch 609b as well as the second notch 605b.

The third obturation member 6c also includes a pusher 62c located near the end shaft 61c opposite to that to which it is connected ratchet 60c. This ratchet has a body 606c connected to a spout 607c via a neck forming a notch 600c. The spout 607c connects to the bottom 602c notch 600c through a span plane 601c and connects on the other side to the body 606c by a convex part 605c. Body 606c connects also at the bottom 602c of the notch 600c, via another flat bearing 603c which extends, substantially square, by a flat part 604c on which depends, in the vicinity of axis 61c, a small tail folded back substantially square in a tending direction away from the axis 61c.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate three positions of the shutter members of the passage slot 322. All these figures represent a view of the back of the disc rear terminal fitted with ratchets and correspond to the arrangement of figure 11.

In Figure 16, the three ratchets occupy a first position in which the passage slot 322 of the rear end disc 32 is closed. On the face 18, these three ratchets occupy a second position in which the passage slot 322 is cleared. Sure Figure 17 Finally, these three ratchets occupy a position intermediate between the first and second position.

When the internal block 3 is completely assembled, notches 316a, 326a, 346a and all of the notches 306a form a first longitudinal groove, located on the periphery of the internal block and in which will house the tree 61a of the first organ shutter 6a. Ratchet 60a is then likely to move in rotation in a plane parallel to that of the rear face of the rear end disc, and the pusher 62a is then located within the set of washers of coding 30 in a place where it is likely to meet paneton 40, and that those skilled in the art will be able to determine.

The same provisions are applied for organs shutter 6b and 6c for which the respective shafts 61b and 61c are housed in grooves formed respectively by all of the notches 316b, 306b, 326b, 346b and 316c, 306c, 326c and 346c.

By their respective location, we see that the ratchets 60a and 60c extend substantially around the periphery rear end disc 32. They are also located substantially in the same plane parallel to the face back of this rear end disc.

Elastic return means, such as springs, are provided within the internal block at the level of each obturation member. These means are not represented in the different figures for reasons of simplification. They are respectively arranged for that in their rest position (i.e. in particular in the absence of a key), the three ratchets occupy the first so-called closing position of the slot 322.

The support 600b of the ratchet 60b is rotated in a plane located between the rear face 321 of the disc rear end 32 and the plane in which the two ratchets 60a and 60c are rotated, but the protuberance 601b of this ratchet 60b moves substantially in the same plane as that of the displacement of two other ratchets 60a and 60b.

In general, each peripheral ratchet 60a and 60c presents a conjugate profile of the ratchet profile 60b so as to cooperate with each other in order to be able to move under elastic return from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

In the first position (figure 16) the first sector pointed 602b from protuberance 601b cooperates with the spout 607c so that the flat surface 601c extends substantially along the branch 604b and that the branch 603b extends substantially along the bottom 602c of notch 600c.

Likewise, the second pointed sector 607b cooperates with the spout 607a so that the branch 610b extends substantially along the span 601a.

It should be noted here that in the first position (of closing), this cooperation of the respective profiles of the different ratchets does not allow the rotation of the quarter turn key only in one direction.

In FIG. 18, the convex parts 605c and 603a peripheral ratchets are flush with the internal side wall of the socket 2. The shape of the notches 600a, 600c and 606b allow full clearance of the slot passage 322. The branch 603b then extends substantially along the flat edge 604c of the ratchet 60c while that the flat part 602a of the nozzle 607a tangent substantially branch 609b of the second pointed sector 607b.

Those skilled in the art will note here that the study extremely thrust of the respective profiles of the different ratchets increases the security of such a lock device because you get a better fit and a pick much harder ratchets in their first position, by a malicious third party, in particular thanks to the beaks of peripheral ratchets.

• la clé 4 est introduite dans la fente d'entrée 102 jusqu'à une butée constituée par la face avant du disque d'extrémité arrière 32. Les rondelles de codage 30 contrôlent la rotation des panetons de la clé d'un quart de tour dans le sens autorisé par les rochets jusqu'à ce que celle-ci vienne en butée horizontalement face à la fente de passage 322 du disque d'extrémité arrière. Cette rotation a été permise par la coopération, d'une part, des plots 328 avec les crans longitudinaux 44 et, d'autre part, du profil du passage 342 du disque intermédiaire 34 avec les crans transversaux 45. Le positionnement des moyens véhiculant les informations à deux états ainsi que celui sur la clé des moyens coopérant avec ceux-ci, sont tels que cette coopération ne puisse s'effectuer que lorsque la clé est en butée horizontale. Ceci permet d'obtenir une identification supplémentaire de la clé par rapport au dispositif de serrure.

The operation of such a lock device is then as follows:

• the key 4 is introduced into the entry slot 102 up to a stop constituted by the front face of the rear end disc 32. The coding washers 30 control the rotation of the panetons of the quarter-turn key in the direction authorized by the ratchets until the latter comes into horizontal abutment opposite the passage slot 322 of the rear end disc. This rotation was made possible by the cooperation, on the one hand, of the studs 328 with the longitudinal notches 44 and, on the other hand, of the profile of the passage 342 of the intermediate disc 34 with the transverse notches 45. The positioning of the means conveying the information in two states as well as that on the key of the means cooperating with them, are such that this cooperation can only take place when the key is in horizontal abutment. This makes it possible to obtain an additional identification of the key with respect to the lock device.

During this rotation the ratchets were brought in their second position by the panetons of the key 4 and this is then introduced further back in the lock device until it passes the exit slot from the rear wall of the socket so that the panetons can drive at least one bolt of the lock to opening the door. When the panetons have completely crossed slot 322, the ratchets are maintained in their second position by the contact of the rod 41 of the key on the first notch 606b of the ratchet 60b. Indeed, in the absence of this contact, the ratchets would return to their first position under the effect of elastic reminder. This contact is maintained during the journey panets from slot 322 to the bolt in passing through exit slot 212, as well as during reverse path. During the reverse rotation of the panetons of the key, for its extraction out of the barrel, the cooperation keys and pushers as well as the action of the elastic return means bring back the ratchets in their closed position of the slot 322.

Although such an embodiment of the device according to the invention offers any satisfaction, a particular point can be improved.

So keeping the hooks in their second (open) position, when the key bits have completely crossed slot 322, can be obtained without the competition of the key rod 41. This has the advantage reduce or even eliminate the friction of the rod key on said first notch 606b and to improve thus the reliability of the lock device.

This variant embodiment is shown on the Figures 19 to 21. In Figure 19 (respectively 20 and 21) elements which are analogous or have a similar function to those shown in Figure 15A (respectively 16 and 18) have references assigned a 'by compared to those they had in Figure 15A (respectively 16 and 18). Only the respective differences between these figures will be described.

We see in Figure 19 that the range 603'c which is connects at one end to the bottom 602'c of the 600'c notch extends at its other end by a 609'c heel which connects itself to the part plane 604'c of body 606'c. This 609'c heel is therefore protrusion at one end of the flat part 604'c of the body 606'c.

In the first closing position of the ratchets (Figure 20) the heel 609'c is located opposite the second notch 605b of ratchet 60b.

By cons, in the second position (Figure 21) the first branch 604'b of the first pointed sector 602'b of the protrusion 601'b of the ratchet 60'b comes to bear under the heel 609'c while the branch 603'b of this first pointed sector extends appreciably along the plan edge 604'c of ratchet 60c.

So the cooperation of this 609'c heel and the first pointed sector 602'b prevents the ratchets from coming back in their first position under the effect of elastic return once the panetons have completely passed the passage slot 322 '.

During the reverse rotation of the key bits, with a view to its extraction from the barrel, the cooperation of key panetons and pushers spread first time the heel 609'c of the first pointed sector 602'b to then allow the elastic return of the ratchets in their first position.

The thus improved lock device allows to obtain high security against break-ins and modifications to the components of the device locks are relatively simple to implement, although being major.

Although the means described above contribute in combination to increasing the security of such a lock device, it could be conceived that they can be used independently of each other, in lock devices which do not require the same degree of security, provided that this does not lead to departing from the scope of the claims below.

• le disque terminal 22 a été représenté dans sa forme la plus simple, c'est-à-dire sans échancrures périphériques. En effet, celles-ci ne sont pas nécessaires. Cependant, on pourrait concevoir d'utiliser un disque terminal ayant une forme sensiblement identique à celui du disque d'extrémité arrière pour des raisons de réduction de coût dans une fabrication de grande série ;
• le bloc interne a été montré ici solidarisé en rotation de la douille et du fût par deux goupilles ; on pourrait, bien entendu, envisager d'en utiliser davantage ;
• on pourrait également concevoir que le doigt 324 solidarisant le bloc interne du disque terminal dépende de ce disque terminal pour venir s'emmancher dans le disque d'extrémité arrière. On pourrait également concevoir plusieurs doige d'autres moyens de solidarisation en rotation analogues.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above but embraces all the variants which a person skilled in the art may develop within the scope of the claims below, and in particular the following:

• the terminal disc 22 has been shown in its simplest form, that is to say without peripheral indentations. Indeed, these are not necessary. However, one could conceive of using a terminal disc having a shape substantially identical to that of the rear end disc for reasons of cost reduction in mass production;
• the internal block has been shown here secured in rotation to the sleeve and the barrel by two pins; one could, of course, consider using more;
• one could also conceive that the finger 324 joining the internal block of the terminal disc depends on this terminal disc to come to be fitted in the rear end disc. One could also conceive of several other similar means of securing in rotation.

One could also provide a housing 46 located on at least one of the panetons of the key to contain the means to cooperate with the means of transport of information to two states.

Of course, some of the means described above may be omitted in variants where they are not used not.

Claims (28)

1. Lock device of the type comprising a fixed barrel (1) housing firmly a sleeve (2) which itself houses firmly an internal block (3) comprising a pile of formed coding washers (30) firmly clamped between two end discs (31, 32) able to admit the pins (40) of a key (4) up to a stop, to control the rotation of these pins (40) and permit these or not to pass through an outlet slot (212) arranged in the terminal wall (21) of the sleeve (2) for the purposes of driving at least one sliding bolt,
   characterized in that the internal block (3) also comprises an intermediate disc (34) located between the two end discs (31, 32) and comprising a passage (342) able to allow access of the key pins as far as the said stop and their rotation, the said intermediate disc presenting by its thickness and surface area a high resistance, in relation to the thin washers (30) of the washer set, to any break-in attempt tending to twist the formed coding profile of the washers (30),
   and in that the device comprises linking means (33) forming at least part of the means of attachment for attaching the intermediate disc (34) to the said end discs (31, 32) and the said coding washers (30),
   which ensures a high cohesion of the pile of coding washers (30), and makes very difficult any attempts to twist the said washers and to pierce the internal block (3).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate disc is interposed between two coding washers approximately half way between the two end discs.
3. Device according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the passage (342) of the intermediate disc has a profile in the form of a cross with approximately equal arms.
4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (2) also houses a terminal disc (22) fixed inside the sleeve (2) in front of its terminal wall (21) and comprising a passage slot (222) similar to the said outlet slot (212).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the terminal disc (22) is attached on the front or internal face (210) of the terminal wall (21) of the sleeve (2).
6. Device according to any of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the terminal disc (22) is attached to the internal block (3) in rotation.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the terminal disc (22) is attached to the internal block in rotation via at least one finger (324) mounted, approximately perpendicular to the terminal disc and to the rear end disc (32) of the internal block (3), respectively in two housings (223, 323) of these two discs (22, 32).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the finger (324) is firmly attached in the housing of the rear end disc and is encased in the housing, in particular a blind hole, of the terminal disc.
9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear end disc (32) of the internal block comprises a passage slot (322) similar to the outlet slot (212) and means (328) forming a projection situated on the front face (320) of this disc and able to cooperate with the pins of the key when these have reached the said stop in order to authorize or not their rotation.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that these means (328) are arranged approximately in accordance with the transverse axis of symmetry of the passage slot (322).
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that these means are also arranged approximately symmetrical in relation to the mean longitudinal axis of the passage slot (322).
12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that these means comprise two studs (328) extending approximately perpendicular to the front face of the rear terminal disc.
13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal block is attached in rotation to the barrel via linking means (33) linked to the front end disc (31) of the internal block (3) and to the rear face (101) of the inlet wall (10) or front wall of the barrel (1).
14. Device according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the means of attachment comprise two screws (33), of which the respective heads (330) are respectively housed in two housings (325) of the rear end disc (32) and of which the ends (331) of the threaded shanks cooperate respectively with threaded holes (315) of the front end disc (31) and in that these screws (33) have a length slightly greater than the distance separating the rear face of the rear end disc from the front face of the front end disc so as to engage respectively in two blind holes (101) arranged in the rear face (101) of the front wall (10) of the barrel (1).
15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal block (3) comprises three arms (60a, 60b, 60c) all driven in rotation by the pins of the key, under elastic return, approximately parallel to the rear face (321) of the rear end disc (32), between this and the terminal disc (22), between a first position in which they cooperate mutually by their respective profiles to seal the passage slot (322) of the rear end disc, and a second position in which the said passage slot (322) is opened.
16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that each arm is respectively connected approximately perpendicularly to a shaft extending longitudinally to the internal block, in a respective groove situated on its periphery, this shaft being fitted with a pusher extending approximately parallel to the arm and located in the set of formed coding washers (30) to cooperate under elastic return with the pins of the key.
17. Device according to any of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that two of these arms (60a, 60c) extend approximately to the periphery of the rear end disc (32) approximately in the same plane and in that the third arm (60b) comprises a mobile support (600b) in rotation in a plane situated between the plane of rotation of the two peripheral arms and the rear face of the rear end disc, this support being fitted with a protuberance located approximately in the plane of rotation of the two peripheral arms and with a profile cooperating with the profile of these two peripheral arms.
18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the said protuberance comprises two pointed sectors cooperating, in the first position of sealing the passage slot, with respectively two projections and two indentations of the two peripheral arms.
19. Device according to any of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that it comprises means (41, 609'c) for holding the sealing elements in their second position when the key pins are located at the rear of the internal block.
20. Device according to claim 19 taken in conjunction with the corresponding key, characterized in that these means comprise the stem (41) of the key.
21. Device according to claim 19 taken in combination with claim 18, characterized in that these means comprise a hook (609'c) situated on one of the peripheral arms (60'c) and cooperating with the pointed sector (602'b) of the closest protuberance of this peripheral arm (60'c) when the sealing elements are in their second position.
22. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet slot (102) of the key, situated on the front wall of the barrel (1) is rectangular, approximately adjusted in relation to the circumference of a transverse section (42) of the shape of the key.
23. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a cover (5) attached (50) to the front face of the front wall of the barrel (1) and concealing by gravity the inlet slot (102) of the key.
24. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises means liable to convey information in two states.
25. Device according to any of the preceding claims taken in conjunction with the corresponding key, characterized in that the key comprises two pins arranged symmetrically either side of the key stem, each pin comprising a transverse notch (45) able to cooperate with the passage (342) of the intermediate disc (34).
26. Device according to any of claims 9 to 25 taken in conjunction with the corresponding key, characterized in that at least one pin comprises a longitudinal notch (44) able to cooperate with the means (328) forming a projection and situated on the front face of the rear end disc.
27. Device according to claim 26 taken in conjunction with the corresponding key, characterized in that each pin comprises a longitudinal notch (44).
28. Device according to any of claims 24 to 27 taken in conjunction with the corresponding key, characterized in that the key also comprises a housing (46) intended to contain means (47) able to control the means of the device able to convey the said information in two states.

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