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CN-122029332-A - Lock core

CN122029332ACN 122029332 ACN122029332 ACN 122029332ACN-122029332-A

Abstract

A lock cylinder has a first lock housing and a second lock housing and a bridging portion between the first lock housing and the second lock housing. The lock cylinder has a weakened area between the first lock housing and/or the second lock housing and the bridging portion, wherein the weakened area comprises at least one obliquely angled slot.

Inventors

  • QI HONGHAI

Assignees

  • 时代家庭安全有限公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20230830

Claims (14)

  1. 1. A lock cylinder, comprising: A first lock housing; Second lock housing, and A bridging portion located between the first lock housing and the second lock housing, Wherein the lock cylinder comprises a weakened area between the first lock housing and/or the second lock housing and the bridging portion, Wherein the weakened area includes at least one obliquely angled slot.
  2. 2. The lock cylinder of claim 1, wherein the first lock housing comprises a first actuator assembly and the second lock housing comprises a second actuator assembly, and wherein the lock cylinder further comprises a cam between the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly.
  3. 3. The lock cylinder of claim 2, further comprising a clutch defining an axis, wherein the clutch is movable between a first state in which the first actuator assembly is engaged with the cam and a second state in which the second actuator assembly is engaged with the cam.
  4. 4. The lock cylinder of claim 3, further comprising a security mechanism configured to place the clutch in the second state when the first lock housing is removed.
  5. 5. The lock cylinder of claim 4, wherein the security mechanism is configured to prevent movement of the clutch from the second state when the first lock housing is removed.
  6. 6. A lock cylinder according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first actuator assembly comprises a rotatable cylinder, and wherein the clutch comprises a first clutch portion engageable with the cam and the first actuator assembly, and the first clutch portion is located in use within the rotatable cylinder.
  7. 7. The lock cylinder of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the clutch further comprises a second clutch portion engageable with the cam and the second actuator assembly, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a spring pin configured to connect the cam and second clutch when the first lock housing is removed.
  8. 8. The lock cylinder of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the clutch further comprises a second clutch portion engageable with the cam and the second actuator assembly, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a pin or stop configured to prevent movement of the second clutch portion along the axis.
  9. 9. The lock cylinder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weakened region comprises a pair of obliquely angled slots.
  10. 10. The lock cylinder of claim 9, wherein the pair of slots are oppositely angled relative to the axis to define a V-shape.
  11. 11. The lock cylinder according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plug insertable into the at least one obliquely angled slot of the weakened area.
  12. 12. The lock cylinder of claim 11, wherein the plug includes at least one angled surface configured to conform to the at least one angled surface of the weakened region.
  13. 13. The lock cylinder of claim 11 or 12, wherein the plug is formed of a plastic material.
  14. 14. The lock cylinder of claim 3 or any claim that depends from claim 3, where the angled slot has an axial length that is greater than a distance traveled by the clutch between the first and second states.

Description

Lock core Technical Field The present invention relates to lock cylinders. More particularly, the present invention relates to lock cylinders for use within a locking assembly of a door. Background A "euro profile" lock cylinder (also referred to as a "euro lock cylinder") is a common commercially available lock type for use in doors and windows. Locks are typically integrated into a larger locking assembly and include a central cam that actuates the remainder of the locking mechanism. The lock cylinder of the euro profile has a known weakness for "lock-snap", in which the lock can be twisted in half and at least partially removed. This allows an attacker or thief to gain access to the remainder of the locking assembly, which can then be manually actuated and gain access to the building. One solution to the problem of lock torsion is to increase the strength of the entire lock cylinder so that it is not possible to twist the lock cylinder in situ with a simple tool. An example of such a lock cylinder is described in EP3022370 by the present inventors. However, the increased size of such locks makes them incompatible with existing door lock assemblies configured to receive euro-contoured locks. Another solution to the lock torsion problem is to provide the lock cylinder with a weakened portion between the central cam and the outer surface of the lock cylinder. When such a lock is attacked, the lock is preferentially twisted at the weakened portion, such that only a portion of the lock is removed and the remainder prevents access to the cam. A clutch mechanism is typically employed to ensure that the lock cylinder can be operated from the inside, while a safety mechanism prevents actuation of the lock from the outside. Examples of such locks are described in EP2300673, EP2730727 and GB 2591154. While these locks provide a high level of security, the clutches and safety mechanisms are often intricate, which increases costs and may fail. The present inventors have recognized a new weakness to many existing lock cylinders having anti-twist mechanisms. In older euro-contoured lock cylinders, the lock may be twisted in half by applying a large force to the end of the lock using a pair of pliers or similar devices, allowing access to the cam and/or wider locking assembly of the lock cylinder. As shown in fig. 1, the anti-twist lock cylinder 100 has a clutch mechanism 102 within a cam 106, the clutch mechanism 102 connecting to an outside lock cylinder 104 when a key is inserted into the lock cylinder 104. A line of weakness 109 is formed in the body of the lock between the central cam portion and the outer sacrificial portion 103. If attacked, the lock cylinder breaks preferentially through the line of weakness 109 rather than through the middle of the lock. The safety mechanism ensures that the inboard clutch is urged forward to engage the cam 106 and typically includes a pin or latch that prevents the inboard clutch from being disengaged. By permanently engaging the inboard clutch, the cam 106 may be prevented from rotating while still allowing the lock to be actuated from the inboard side. However, the inventors have discovered that a tool, such as a pick-up wrench or a tension wrench 108, may be inserted through the lock cylinder 104 to emulate a key and engage the clutch mechanism 102. When the lock cylinder 100 is twisted, the sacrificial side 103 of the lock can be maintained in place rather than removed, preventing the safety mechanism from triggering, which would permanently engage the inner clutch. Engagement of the outboard clutch 102 with the cam 106 may be maintained by pressure on the tool 108. Thus, by rotation of the sacrificial portion of the lock 103, the cam 106 can be actuated and the locking assembly (in which the lock cylinder is mounted) can be unlocked. Disclosure of Invention The present invention is directed to alleviating or ameliorating one or more of the problems described above, or to providing a useful alternative. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a lock cylinder is provided, the lock cylinder comprising a first lock housing and a second lock housing. The lock cylinder may comprise a bridging portion between the first lock housing and the second lock housing. The lock cylinder may comprise a weakened area between the first lock housing and/or the second lock housing and the bridging portion. The weakened region may include at least one obliquely angled slot or surface. The first lock housing may include a first actuator assembly. The second lock housing may include a second actuator assembly. The lock cylinder may further include a cam located between the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly. The first actuator assembly and/or the second actuator assembly may comprise a lock cylinder. In some embodiments, one of the actuator assemblies may be handle operated, e.g., one of the actuator assemblies (e.g., a second actuator assembly) may include a