U.S. patent number 3,855,827 [Application Number 05/414,328] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-24 for magnetically-operated locking mechanisms.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MRT Magnet-Regeltechnik GmbH. Invention is credited to Hermann Hallman, Branko Perkut.
United States Patent |
3,855,827 |
Hallman , et al. |
December 24, 1974 |
MAGNETICALLY-OPERATED LOCKING MECHANISMS
Abstract
Locking mechanisms include a rotatably mounted stop member
movable by means of a magnetic key between a release position and a
locking position. When the stop member is in the release position a
control element can enter a recess in the stop member and release
movement of a locking bolt is permitted. The locking bolt is
movable transversely to the direction of movement of the control
element and the control element includes a cam portion which
cooperates with a cam surface so that, when the stop member is in
its locking position, movement of the locking bolt is prevented by
interaction of the cam portion and cam surface. When the stop
member is moved into its release position so that the control
element can enter the recess in the stop member, relative sliding
movement of the cam portion and cam surface can be effected. In
several forms an ancillary bolt is likewise controlled. The
ancillary bolt may be released by remotely controlled means.
Inventors: |
Hallman; Hermann (Hamburg,
DT), Perkut; Branko (Hamburg, DT) |
Assignee: |
MRT Magnet-Regeltechnik GmbH
(Hamburg, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
25765053 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/414,328 |
Filed: |
November 9, 1973 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 26, 1973 [DT] |
|
|
2321246 |
Oct 10, 1973 [DT] |
|
|
2350897 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/134; 70/276;
70/413; 70/339; 70/419 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
47/0044 (20130101); Y10T 70/7932 (20150401); Y10T
70/7904 (20150401); Y10T 70/7057 (20150401); Y10T
70/7458 (20150401); Y10T 70/5341 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
47/00 (20060101); E05b 047/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;70/134,276,339,413 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Craig, Jr.; Albert G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Beaman & Beaman
Claims
We claim:
1. In a magnetically-operated locking mechanism which includes at
least one rotatably-mounted stop member which can be moved by means
of a magnetic key into a release position from a locking position
into which it is biassed and a control element which in the release
position can enter a recess in the stop member by relative movement
between the stop member and the control element in a direction
parallel to the axis of rotation of the stop member, the control
element being held against movement in said direction in the
locking position of the stop member, so as to control movement of a
locking bolt,
the improvement wherein the locking bolt is movable transversely to
the direction of movement of the control element and the control
element includes a cam portion which cooperates with a cam surface
so that, in the locking position of the stop member, movement of
the locking bolt is prevented by interaction of the cam portion and
cam surface and that, in the release position, movement of the
locking bolt is permitted and the control element enters the recess
in the stop member upon relative sliding movement of the cam
portion and cam surface.
2. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the control
element and the stop member are within the locking bolt and the cam
surface is within the lock casing.
3. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a key support
is formed in the locking bolt so that the locking bolt can be slid
positively with the magnetic key.
4. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cam
portion comprises a conical head portion of the control element and
the cam surface is provided by a correspondingly shaped recess in
the wall of the casing.
5. A locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the key
support is formed in a sliding member which is mounted in the
locking bolt so as to slide against the action of a spring in a
direction parallel to the direction of movement of the locking
bolt.
6. A locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a second
control element together with a stop member and key support
associated therewith is provided so that two magnetic keys are
required to operate the mechanism.
7. A locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the second
control element is located in the locking bolt and the associated
cam surface is formed in an ancillary bolt mounted so as to slide
relative to the bolt in a direction parallel to the direction of
movement of the bolt.
8. A locking mechanism according to claim 7, wherein means are
provided whereby the ancillary bolt can be held in place by an
electro-magnetic device to enable the lock to be operated remotely
without use of the second magnetic key.
9. A locking mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the
electro-magnet of the operating device is situated outside the lock
casing, said operating device including a hook-shaped locking lever
pivotal on energisation of the electro-magnet, which lever
cooperates with a stop in the ancillary bolt when the locking
mechanism is in its locked position.
10. A locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein means are
provided whereby the ancillary bolt can only be slid a limited
distance relative to the locking bolt, which locking bolt is
provided with a bevelled surface engaged by the locking lever upon
relative sliding movement between the locking bolt and ancillary
bolt.
11. A locking mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the
electro-magnet of the operating device includes an armature for
engagement in an opening of the ancillary bolt.
12. A locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein one of the
magnetic keys is provided with a groove for engagement with the
wall of the lock casing to prevent withdrawal of the key when the
locking mechanism is in its open condition.
13. A locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein a locking
sliding member is associated with the second control element and is
retained by a spring in a position in which it prevents
disengagement of the control element from the associated stop
member, said locking sliding member being arranged so as to operate
against a cooperative surface for movement thereof into a release
position in which the control element can disengage from the stop
member by movement through an opening in the locking sliding
member.
14. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a electrical
signalling device is provided for transmission of a signal to a
centre point upon movement of the locking bolt in the opening
direction.
15. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the control
element comprises two parts of which the first part includes the
cam portion and the second part is arranged to enter the recess of
the stop member.
16. A locking mechanism according to claim 15, wherein a guiding
member is provided which is movable in a direction at right angles
to the direction of movement of the control element, said guiding
member being formed with a hole for reception of the two parts of
the control element in such way that, when the said second part
enters the recess in the stop member, the second part of the
control element disengages from the hole in the guiding member and
becomes separated from the first part which remains in the
hole.
17. A locking mechanism according to claim 16, wherein a cam
surface is formed in a cam body extending parallel to the guiding
member, which cam body can be slid together with the guiding member
in the locking position of the stop member into engagement with an
abutment against the action of a spring.
18. A locking mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the guiding
member and the cam body are movable in a direction parallel to the
direction of movement of the locking bolt.
19. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the stop
member and the control element are disposed in a cylinder which is
mounted for rotation with the locking bolt, the cam surface being
afforded by a surface of a recess formed in the wall of the
cylindrical casing.
20. A locking mechansim according to claim 19, wherein at least two
angularly spaced recesses are provided.
21. A locking mechanism according to claim 20, wherein two pairs of
rotatable stop members are arranged symmetrically in a channel
formed in the cylinder and a common control element is associated
with each pair of stop members.
22. A locking mechanism according to claim 21, wherein the magnetic
key includes two magnets which are magnetically coded by being
magnetised on both sides simultaneously.
23. A locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the key
support is formed in a closed wall of a lock casing and the control
element is acted on by a spring so as to be movable relative to the
lock casing.
24. A locking mechansim according to claim 23, wherein a common
connection is provided between the control element and the locking
bolt.
25. A locking mechansim according to claim 24, wherein the locking
bolt includes a cam on an end portion thereof projecting from the
lock casing, said cam being arranged to cooperate with a fixed stop
by means of which the locking bolt is movable relative to the
control element.
26. A locking mechanism according to claim 25, wherein the fixed
stop comprises a pin.
27. A locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the key
support comprises a pocket.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to magnetically-operated locking mechanisms
of the kind which include at least one rotatably-mounted stop
member which can be moved by means of a magnetic key into a release
position from a locking position into which it is biassed, and a
control element which in the release position can enter a recess in
the stop member by relative movement between the stop member and
the control element in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation
of the stop member, and is held against movement in said direction
in the locking position of the stop member, so as to control
movement of a locking bolt.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a known lock of the above kind (see FIGS. 3 to 5 of German
Specification No. 2,123,168), one or more (for example four)
magnetic stop members are arranged in a cylinder which is slidable
in a lock casing, whilst the control element is in the form of a
bolt secured in the lock casing. When a suitably coded magnetic key
is applied to the front of the axially slidable cylinder, the stop
members rotate into their release positions so that the cylinder
can be pressed inwardly of the lock casing by pushing the magnetic
key against the force of a spring, whereupon the control element
enters into the recesses in the magnetic stop members. The bolt is
linked to the cylinder so that, through axial sliding of the
cylinder, the bolt is likewise slid in an axial direction,
whereupon it exerts its control function.
With another known lock of this kind (see FIGS. 9 to 12 of German
Specification No. 1,678,006), the stop member is rotatable but is
arranged in the lock casing so as not to slide, whilst the control
element is formed by a cylinder mounted in the casing so as to
slide axially. The control element is provided with coupling dogs
which engage with opposing dogs of a rotatably mounted locking bolt
upon movement of the control element into the recess in the stop
member. In this way, by use of the magnetic key, rotary movement
can be transmitted to the locking bolt.
In both cases, operation of the lock requires a cylinder to be
pressed inwardly against a resilient force with the aid of the
magnetic key. On account of its unusualness, this method of
operation is somewhat inconvenient. Furthermore, the resilient
mounting of the cylinder necessitates a method of construction
which increases the susceptibility to malfunction of the lock.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to simplify assembly of the locking
mechanism and to increase the serviceability of the locking
mechanism.
According to the invention, the locking bolt is movable
transversely to the direction of movement of the control element,
and the control element includes a cam portion which cooperates
with a cam surface so that, in the locking position of the stop
member, movement of the locking bolt is prevented by interaction of
the cam portion and cam surface and that, in the release position,
movement of the locking bolt is permitted and the control element
enters the recess in the stop member upon relative sliding movement
of the cam portion and cam surface.
With the lock according to the invention, pressing-in of a cylinder
is no longer necessary to produce relative axial relative movement
between the control element and stop member. The control element is
itself displaced relative to the stop member as a result of the cam
portion sliding relative to the cam surface when the locking bolt
is moved. This increases reliability of the locking mechanism and
simplifies assembly.
The control element may consist of a pin having a tapered end
portion which provides the cam portion and enters a tapered recess
of the wall of the lock casing. When the locking bolt is moved, the
cam portion slides on the tapered surface, causing the pin to be
moved at right angles to the direction of movement of the locking
bolt. If the rotatable stop member is in its release position, the
pin can enter the recess in the stop member. If, on the contrary,
the stop member is not in its release position -- which can, for
example, happen when a wrong key or force is used -- the pin is
pushed by the cam action against the surface of the magnetic stop
member. The magnetic stop member must then absorb the full force
transmitted to the pin, which when force is used can lead to the
stop member bearings and consequently the entire lock, being
damaged.
In accordance, therefore, with another embodiment of the invention,
the locking mechanism is designed in such a way that even when
force is applied the magnetic stop member cannot be damaged. This
is achieved by the use of a control element which includes two
parts, the first part of which includes a cam portion whilst the
second part enters into the recess in the stop member, and between
the locking bolt and cam surface a guiding element is placed which
can be moved at right angles to the direction of movement of the
control element through a distance corresponding to the length of
the cam surface. Said guiding element has a hole in which the two
parts of the control element are located in such a way that, when
the control element enters the recess in the stop member, the
second part moves out of the hole and is separated from the first
part which remains in the hole.
As a result of the division of the control element into two parts,
and the use of the guiding element, in an attempt at forcible
opening the force exerted on the locking bolt is transmitted
through the guiding element to the casing, whereas the first part
of the control element which includes the cam portion remains
unloaded. The control element does not transmit any force acting at
right angles to the direction of movement of the locking bolt, so
that the magnetic stop member is not subjected to any load.
In another embodiment of the invention, the locking bolt is
rotatable and the stop member and the control element are then
arranged in a cylinder which is mounted for rotation with the
locking bolt. The cam surface comprises a depression formed in the
inner wall of the casing, and in which the control element engages
when the stop member is in the locking position.
A locking mechanism can also be produced which is completely closed
outwardly on the key side. The key support is then formed on a
closed wall of the lock casing, the magnetic stop member is mounted
so as not to slide and the control element, pre-stressed by a
resilient force, is mounted slidably with respect to the lock
casing. Between the control element and the locking bolt, which is
movable relative to it, a cam action is provided through which, in
the locking position of the stop member, the control element
prevents movement of the locking bolt relative to the control
element and, in the release position, by entering the recess in the
stop member, allows the locking bolt to move relative to the
control element.
In this embodiment, in contrast to the known locks mentioned by way
of introduction, the rotatable magnetic stop members are mounted,
not in an axially slidable cylinder, but in the lock casing itself,
whilst the control element can be slid relatively to the magnetic
stop members towards the locking position by the resilient force,
and towards the release position by the locking bolt, which can
transmit a force to the control element through the cam action. In
this way, it is possible to form the lock casing on the key side so
that it is completely closed outwardly and thus the inside of the
locking mechanism is completely protected against atmospheric
influences. A further advantage is that no kind of mechanical force
has to be exerted on the magnetic key to open the lock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a magnetically-operated lock,
FIG. 2 shows a modified embodiment of the lock of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lock shown in FIG. 2,
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a lock for the operation of which two
magnetic keys are required,
FIG. 5 shows a modified form of the lock of FIG. 4, in which one
half of the lock can be operated by remote control,
FIG. 6 shows another form of lock which can be operated
remotely,
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of a lock with two magnetic keys,
corresponding to the lock shown in FIG. 4,
FIG. 8 shows a modified form of the lock shown in FIG. 7,
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section of a further form of lock
according to the invention in the locking position,
FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9 but showing the lock in
the release position,
FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the lock
during an attempt at forcible opening,
FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of the arrangement of the locking
bolt and the magnetic stops in the lock of FIGS. 9 to 11,
FIG. 13 is a cross-section of a rotating cylinder lock in the
locking position,
FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 13 of the lock in the
release position,
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic key,
FIG. 16 is a plan view of the magnetic key shown in FIG. 15,
and
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of lock
according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The lock shown in FIG. 1, which is illustrated in the locked
position, includes a lock casing 1 within which is mounted a
locking bolt 2 so as to slide in a straight line. In a boring in
the locking bolt are arranged a number of stops 4 and 5 (two of
which can be seen) provided with magnets. The magnetic stops 4, 5
are each mounted for rotation about an axis at right angles to the
direction of movement of the locking bolt 2, and each is provided
with a recess 4a, 5a. The locking bolt 2 also carries a control
element 3 in the form of a pin, which is urged in an upwards
direction by a spring 7.
The control element 3 can slide in a direction parallel to the axis
of rotation of the magnetic stops 4, 5, i.e. at right angles to the
direction of movement of the locking bolt 2, and engages in the
position illustrated with a cam portion 3a provided by a conical
head in a correspondingly conical opening 8 in the lock casing 1.
The magnetic stops 4, 5 are normally biassed by their magnets into
locking positions in which the recesses 4a, 5a are not aligned with
the control element 3. Control element 3 is thus held by the stops
4, 5 against axial sliding and locking bolt 2 is consequently
prevented from sliding.
Locking bolt 2 is provided with a key support 6 in the form of a
pocket which is located opposite the stops 4 and 5. When a
correctly coded magnetic key (not shown) is inserted into the key
pocket 6, the stops 4, 5 rotate into their release positions (shown
in dotted lines), in which the recesses 4a, 5a are aligned with the
control element 3. The locking bolt can now be slid to the right
(as viewed in FIG. 1) by means of the magnetic key, whereupon cam
3a slides on the surface or opening 8 and control element 3 thus
enters the recesses 4a, 5a of stops 4, 5. Locking bolt 2 can then
be slid to the left relative to the lock casing 1 (the unbolted
state). If the locking bolt 2 has to be held in this position it is
merely necessary to provide another opening at this point in the
casing 1 and corresponding to the opening 8.
The embodiments illustrated in the other figures have, as far as
the arrangement of the stops is concerned, the same construction as
the lock shown in FIG. 1; for the sake of clarity, therefore, the
stops have been omitted from the other figures.
In its basic construction, the lock shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to
the one shown in FIG. 1 and likewise has a lock casing 10, a
locking bolt 11, a control element 12, and a conical opening 13. In
contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, however, the key pocket 14 is
not fixed relative to the locking bolt 11 but is formed in a
movable sliding member 15. The sliding member 15, with an attached
guiding tongue 17, can be slid parallel to the direction of
movement of the locking bolt 11 and in the direction of opening
against the action of a spring 16. The spring 16 is so dimensioned
that, when the lock is operated normally with the correctly coded
magnetic key, the spring is not compressed. The spring must,
therefore, be relatively strong, so that the frictional forces
which sometimes occur in practice with distorted doors can be
overcome.
With the illustrated lock, if an attempt is made to forcibly slide
the locking bolt 11 to the right with a wrong key or other tool,
only the sliding member 15 is slid to the right with compression of
spring 16, whilst the locking bolt 11 remains in the locked
position. The force thereby exerted on the locking bolt 11 is
transmitted to the control element 12, without it being possible
for the magnetic stops to be damaged.
In this embodiment the locking bolt 11 can be made from a synthetic
plastics material, it being possible for the stressed side to be
strengthened with a steel bolt cast into it. The lock housing 10
can be made from steel and this gives a cheap method of manufacture
in relation to the security value of the lock.
In the lock shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the control element 20
interacting with the opening 22, the stops and the key pocket 24, a
second control system, consisting of a control element 21
interacting with an opening 23, stops and a key pocket 25, is
arranged in the locking bolt 19. Two magnetic keys (not shown) are
therefore required to open the lock. Such a lock can be used, for
example, as the lock for a bank safe box with a bank and a client's
key, or anywhere else where for reasons of security it is desired
that two keys should be used. Only when both magnetic keys are
inserted into the key pockets 24 and 25 can the locking bolt 19 be
slid to the right into its unlocked position. If one of the two
magnetic keys is now withdrawn, locking can be carried out with one
magnetic key, locking bolt 19 being pushed again to the left,
whereupon both control elements 20 and 21 again engage in the
openings 22 and 23.
With the lock shown in FIG. 5, which in its basis construction
corresponds to the lock shown in FIG. 4, a device for remote
operation of one control system (bank locking) is provided in
addition. To this end, the conical opening 29 associated with the
control element 28 is not formed in the lock casing 26 but in an
ancillary bolt 30, which is arranged in the locking bolt 27 so as
to slide in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of
the locking bolt. The ancillary bolt 30 can, as desired, either be
held in place by a magnetic operating device or released, so that
it is either fixed in relation to the lock casing 26 or slidable
relative thereto with the locking bolt 27. The magnetic operating
device includes an electro-magnet 39 with an armature 38 arranged
outside the lock casing. The armature 38 is linked with a locking
lever 36, mounted so as to pivot about an axis 37, which is held by
a spring 35 in its locking position. The locking lever 36 has a
hook-shaped end which engages in an opening 41 of the ancillary
bolt 30 causing the ancillary bolt 30 to be held in place.
When the remote control is operated, the electro-magnet 39 is
energised, whereupon the armature 38 pivots the locking lever 36
about its axis 37, so that locking lever 36 lifts clear of the
opening 41 of the ancillary bolt 30. As a result of this, the bank
locking is cancelled and the lock can now be opened by insertion of
the customer's key in the key pocket 34 and the consequent
unlocking of the control element 31.
If, on the other hand, the lock is to be opened only by hand, the
bank and customer keys must be inserted into the corresponding key
pockets 33 and 34. Then, when the locking bolt is slid to the
right, the control elements 28 and 31 can enter into the recesses
in the appropriate stops. Locking bolt 27 then slides relative to
ancillary bolt 30. Since, however, the ancillary bolt 30 can make
only a limited movement with respect to the locking bolt 27, the
locking bolt 27 is provided with a bevel 40 on which the
hook-shaped end of locking lever 36 engages. Locking lever 36 can
thereby be lifted out of the opening 41 of the ancillary bolt
against the force of spring 35, whereupon the locking bolt 27,
together with the ancillary bolt 30, can be moved beneath the
locking lever 36.
FIG. 6 shows a modified version of a remotely controllable lock
corresponding to the lock shown in FIG. 5. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 6, the electro-magnet 51 is arranged inside the lock casing
42. The armature 49 of the electro-magnet acts as a stop and can
slide against the action of a spring 58 to engage in an opening 50
in an ancillary bolt 48, which corresponds to the ancillary bolt 30
shown in Fig. 5. One pole of the electro-magnet is earthed to the
lock casing at 57, whilst the other pole is connected by a lead
passing through a cable conduit 56a to a contact bolt insulated and
inserted into the locking bolt 43 on its axis. In the closed
position of the locking bolt 43, contact bolt 56 is connected with
the contact points 54 and 55 of two contacts 52 and 53.
If the lock is to be opened only by hand, the two magnetic keys are
inserted into the key pockets 59, 60, whereupon the control
elements 44, 45 are unlocked, so that the locking bolt 43 can be
moved to the right into its opening position. Contact bolt 56 is
then released from rest contact 52, as the result of which a signal
is sent to a central point indicating that the lock is open.
However, if the lock is to be unbolted by the bank by remote
control, the electromagnet 51 is excited through the contact 52 and
contact bolt 56, causing the armature 49 to be withdrawn from the
opening 50 of the ancillary bolt 48. The lock can now be unbolted
by inserting the customer's key into the key pocket 59. Contacts 54
and 55 then open, whereupon a signal is sent to the bank's central
point over a closed circuit. An electrical voltage is not necessary
when bolting as the spring 58 itself returns the armature 49 into
the opening 50 of the ancillary bolt 48.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 corresponds to the one shown
in FIG. 4, but in FIG. 7 the bank key 68 and the customer's key 70
are inserted in the appropriate key pockets 67 and 69. The
customer's key 70 is provided with a groove 71 which, in the
opening position of the locking bolt 62, engages with the wall of
the lock casing 61. When the lock is opened, therefore, the
customer's key 70 cannot be withdrawn. This ensures that the lock
is closed before the customer's key is withdrawn.
In order, however, to give the customer the possibility of
withdrawing his key and operating the lock again without the aid of
the bank official, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a locking
sliding member is provided consisting of a locking plate 76, a
connecting rib 77 and a keying bolt 78. The locking sliding member
is arranged in the locking bolt so as to slide in a direction
parallel to the direction of movement of the locking bolt against
the force of a spring 79. The keying bolt 78 has associated with it
a counter-surface 81 located on the locking part. The two key
pockets are designated 74 and 75.
If the locking bolt is slid to the right from the position shown in
FIG. 8 into the unlocking position by the two magnetic keys, the
keying bolt 78 lifts away from the fixed counter-surface 81 and the
locking sliding member is pushed by the spring 79 to the left
relative to the locking bolt. The locking plate 76 slides over the
control element 73 which in the meantime has entered the recesses
in its stops. The control element 73 thus no longer engages in the
opening 82 of the locking plate 76.
The lock can now be operated with the customer's key alone as often
as desired, as long as the locking bolt is not slid over the
counter-surface 81. Only when the door is again locked in the usual
way, the keying bolt 78 being slid back into the position shown in
FIG. 8 away from the counter-surface 81, does the control element
73 on the bank side again enter opening 82 of the locking plate 76
in the corresponding conical opening of the lock casing. The lock
can now no longer be opened witho one key only.
The magnetically operated lock illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12
includes a casing 101, in which a locking bolt 102 can be slid in a
straight line between a locking position (FIG. 9) and an unlocking
position (FIG. 10). Four stops 104, 105, tipped with magnets, are
mounted so as to rotate about an axis vertical to the direction of
sliding of the locking bolt 102. The rotatable stops are each
provided with a recess 104a, 105a which together form a cylinder in
the release position of the rotating stops, (see FIG. 12).
The magnets, which are directed towards a key channel 106 running
at right angles to the direction of sliding of the locking bolt,
are placed on the surfaces of the stops facing away from the
recesses. The magnetic key is provided with magnets 118a, 118b,
corresponding to the magnets of the stops, whose magnetisation is
so designed that they turn the stops into the release positions
shown in FIG. 12.
A control element is associated with the stops, the control element
consisting of two parts 108 and 109, which are separable at a point
110. Part 109 is provided with a cam shaped like a cone which, in
the locking position of the stops, projects into a correspondingly
conically shaped recess 117. In the locking position of the
rotatable stops (FIG. 9), the two parts 108 and 109 of the control
element are arranged in a hole in a guiding member 111, which can
be slid through a pre-determined distance in a direction parallel
to the direction of sliding of the locking bolt 102 in the casing.
The recess 117 (FIG. 10) is formed in a cam body 112 which can be
slid in a straight line in the casing exactly like the guiding
member 111, but it is tensioned by a spring 113 to the left as
shown in the drawings. Both the guiding member 111 and the cam body
112 can only be slid through a limited distance 114, and their
movements in both directions are limited by abutments formed by the
wall of the casing. The two parts 108 and 109 of the control
element have rounded surfaces 115, 116 which bear against each
other.
The lock described above works in the following way. In the locked
position, the movable parts of the lock are as shown in FIG. 9. To
operate the lock, the magnetic key 118 is inserted into the key
channel 106, whereupon the magnets 118a, 118b of the magnetic key
118 turn the magnetic stops into their release positions (FIG. 12).
The locking bolt 102 is then slid to the right with the help of the
magnetic key. In this sliding movement, the conical cam of part 109
slides on the conical surface of the recess 117 in the cam body
112, causing part 108 and part 109 of the control element to be
pushed down (as viewed in FIG. 9) and to enter the recesses 104a
and 105a of the stops 104, 105. At the same time, the guiding
member 111 is pushed to the right by the distance 114, whilst the
cam body 112 is held in its original position by the spring 113.
When the junction 110 between the parts 108 and 109 of the control
element reaches the level of the lower side of the guiding member
111 and the guiding member 111 bears against the right-hand end
wall of the casing, parts 108 and 109 are separated from one
another. Part 108, together with the rotating stops, is pushed
further to the right, whereupon part 108 is forced upwards by the
spring 107 and slides along the lower surface of the guiding member
111, whilst part 109 slides freely on the bolt. The resulting
release position of the locking bolt 102 is illustrated in FIG.
10.
If the locking bolt -- with or without the magnetic key -- is now
pushed back towards the left into its locking position, part 109 of
the control element springs back again into the hole in the guiding
member 111 and thereby forces part 109 upwards into the recess 117.
The lock then resumes its initial state shown in FIG. 9.
If the locking bolt is pushed, without or with a wrong key,
forcibly to the right from the position shown in FIG. 9, the
control element consisting of parts 108 and 109 sits on the upper
surface of stops 104, 105, since the stops are in their locking
positions. Parts 108, 109 are now "clamped" between the surface of
recess 117 and the surfaces of the stops so that, when the locking
bolt is slid to the right, said parts carry with them the cam body
112 as well as the guiding member 111 against the force of the
spring 113. When the cam body 112 and guiding member 111 come into
contact with the abutment formed by the wall of the casing, the
locking bolt 102 can be slid no further. The force exerted on the
locking bolt 102 is now directly transmitted to the wall of the
casing through the part 108 and the guiding member 111, whilst the
rotatable stops 104, 105 are completely relieved of load. Because
of the separation of the two parts 108, 109 of the control element
on the one hand, and the engagement of the guiding member 111 with
the wall of the casing on the other hand, the cam of part 109 can
no longer exert a vertically downwardly directed force on the part
108 and, consequently, on the rotatable stops. The lock cannot
therefore be opened by forcibly pushing in the locking bolt
102.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16, the locking bolt
(not shown) is connected to a cylinder 122 which is mounted so as
to rotate within a cylindrical housing 120. In the cylinder, four
magnetic stops 123 to 126, which in principle are exactly like the
stops of the preceding embodiment, are mounted symmetrically
relative to a central key channel 121 so as to be able to rotate.
With each pair of stops 123, 124 or 125, 126 is associated a
one-part control element 127, 128 in the form of a pin which, in
the locking position of the stops, as in the preceding embodiment,
is pressed outwards by a spring 131, 132 to bear against a conical
surface 129, 130. The surfaces 129, 130 are provided by recesses
formed in the wall of the housing offset from one another by
180.degree.. Cylinder 122 therefore has two locking positions
offset from one another by 180.degree..
In principle, the locking and control mechanism described functions
in the same way as in the preceding embodiment, bearing in mind
that the control elements are of one-piece construction and the
locking bolt is arranged to move not in a straight line but so as
to rotate. This means that on insertion of the magnetic key 133
(FIGS. 15 and 16) into the key channel 121 and turning it, the
magnetic stops are moved into their release positions and the
control elements 127, 128 are pressed into the recesses in the
stops by sliding over the surfaces 129, 130, in which recesses they
are retained by further rotation of the cylinder by contact with
the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 120 (FIG. 14). If the
magnetic key is withdrawn, the stops move again and a repeated
turning with a tool or wrong key is not possible.
In order to achieve with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14
the degree of security obtained with the preceding embodiment, the
pin-like control elements 127, 128 must be duplicated. Furthermore,
between the housing wall 120 and the cylinder 122, a guiding ring
corresponding to the guiding member 111, as well as a resilient cam
body, in the form of a ring and corresponding to the cam body 112,
are provided.
The magnetic key 133 which operates the four stops includes two
circular magnetic bodies 134, 135 which are magnetised on opposite
sides in zones 136 to 139 corresponding to the coding of the stops.
In order to obtain different angular positions of the
magnetisations of the four magnetic codings, all four zones 136 to
139 must be magnetised simultaneously. Otherwise, the subsequent
magnetisation of one side would reduce the magnetisation already
accomplished of the other side. By magnetising simultaneously, on
the contrary, a stabilised coding of all four magnets is obtained,
which permits particularly cheap manufacture of the magnetic
key.
The magnetically operated lock shown in FIG. 17 includes a lock
casing which consists of a cylinder 202 and a cover 204 closing one
end of the cylinder 202. The end of the cylinder 202 facing away
from the cover 204 is closed by an end wall 206 integral with the
cylinder 202. A key support in the shape of a key pocket 208 is
formed in the end wall 206. A magnetic key (not shown) tipped with
magnets can be inserted into the key pocket 208.
In the cylinder, and extending at right angles to the axis of the
cylinder, is secured a mounting plate 210 on which a number (for
example four) of magnetic stops 214 are rotatably mounted by means
of mounting pins 212. The stops 214 are cylindrical rotors and are
provided at their front ends with magnets 216, the magnets of
different stops exerting a tensioning force on one another so that,
when the magnetic key is withdrawn, the stops take up a
predetermined position in relation to each other. If the
correspondingly coded magnetic key is inserted into the key pocket
208, the magnets of the magnetic key turn the magnetic stops into a
release position in which the recesses 218 formed in the stops
assume a predetermined position in relation to a control element
220.
The control element 220 is mounted on the mounting plate 210 so as
to slide in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylinder and is
held by a spring 222 in its locking position (to the right in FIG.
17). The control element 220 is so arranged that it can enter the
recesses 218 of the stops in the release position of the stops 214
(that is, when the magnetic key is inserted), whilst axial shifting
of the control element in the locking position of the stops is
prevented by the control element 220 bearing against the opposite
end surfaces of the stops 214.
In the chamber formed between the mounting plate 210 and the front
wall of the casing cover 204 there is mounted a locking bolt 224
which can be slid in a direction at right angles to the axis of the
cylinder and thus normally to the direction of movement of the
control element 220. The locking bolt 224 interacts with the
control element 220 through a cam connection 226, which consists of
oblique surfaces 228, 230 of the control element 220 and locking
bolt 224 which bear against one another. The locking bolt 224 is
retained in its closed position by a spring 227, supported by the
exterior of the lock casing, which acts on the end portion of the
locking bolt 224 projecting from the lock casing. The projecting
end portion of the locking bolt 224 has a cam 228 which interacts
with a fixed stop pin 230. Cam 228 consists of two oblique surfaces
232, 234 which are arranged symmetrically relative to one another
and in relation to the direction of movement a of the lock casing
which can, for example, be moved together with a door.
The lock described above functions as follows: When the magnetic
key is inserted in the key pocket 208, the magnetic stops 214, in
dependence on the magnetic interaction between the magnets of the
magnetic key and the magnets 216 of the stops, assume their release
positions, in which the recesses 218 of the stops are aligned with
the control element 220. If, when the magnetic key is inserted, the
whole lock is pushed to the left (in the direction of the arrow a)
relative to the fixed stop 230, the oblique surface 232 of cam 228
slides over the stop 230, causing the locking bolt 224 to be pushed
inwardly into the lock casing. Locking bolt 224 thereby pushes the
control element 220 to the left (in FIG. 17) by means of the cam
connection 226, whereupon the control element 220 enters the
recesses 218 of the stops 214. As soon as the lock has moved to the
left beyond the stop 230, the spring 220 pushes the locking bolt
224 out of the lock casing again, whilst spring 222 moves the
control element 220 to the right out of the recesses 218 of stops
214. When, in conjunction with this, the lock (with the magnetic
key still inserted) is moved back again to the right, the oblique
surface 234 slides over stop 230, whereupon the movable parts of
the lock execute the same movement as when the lock is pushed to
the left.
On the other hand, if an attempt is made to push the lock in the
direction of arrow a without an inserted magnetic key (or with a
wrong magnetic key), control element 220 bears against the end
surfaces of the stops 214, which assume their locking position, so
that the control element 220, by means of the cam connection 226,
prevents displacement of the locking bolt 224. The locking bolt
224, through the cam interacting with the stop 230, thus prevents
opening of the lock.
* * * * *