EP3775444B1

EP3775444B1 - Support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders

Info

Publication number: EP3775444B1
Application number: EP19712970.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ricardo Beitia Molina; Carlos FERREIRA SÁNCHEZ
Original assignee: Salto Systems SL
Current assignee: Salto Systems SL
Priority date: 2018-03-28
Filing date: 2019-03-20
Publication date: 2021-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-20
Also published as: ES2725973A1; PT3775444T; WO2019185417A1; EP3775444A1; ES2725973B2; ES2901305T3; PL3775444T3

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a support which enables the installation of opening and closing devices on the projection of lock cylinders for doors, only by means of fastening by pressure the portions thereof, without modifying the state of the door or of the door shield present.
This support is an external element, depending on the type of profile of the existing cylinder, which has few limitations on the installation thereof, the configuration of which enables it to be located in a wide variety of locks without altering the components that form them and facilitates the coupling of the device which causes the door to open or close.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of systems related to the opening or closing of locks for the use thereof in access doors of homes or other spaces are known in the current state of the art.
This is due to the continuing increase in implementing home automation applications in buildings in order to control the installations and elements present in homes or offices, facilitating the use thereof for the user as well as providing services for secure access to indoor spaces without needing opening tools such as keys.
One of these home automation installations for opening doors are opening and closing devices which are installed inside the doors, in pre-existing locks, enabling the door to be opened and closed from both sides by means of a remote control or mobile device, emitting a signal with different technologies such as infrared, Bluetooth, radio frequency or telephone signals, as well as managing access permissions, controlling the opening and closing of the doors from places away from the location thereof. These installations may or may not limit the habitual operations of the lock, such that it can be opened from the outside with a key, without interfering with the opening or closing device or needing an electronic signal.
One of the problems which arise in the use of these opening and closing devices comes from the cylinders present in the locks wherein they will be installed. These current cylinders can have dual clutch mechanisms, meaning that the door can be opened and closed from one side, regardless of whether the key is inserted in the other, cylinders without a dual clutch, cylinder means or cylinders with a button on the inside (keyless).
The opening and closing device is installed on the internal portion of the room such that the portion of the lock on the outside is not modified, operating as and having the appearance of a normal lock, being able to be opened with a conventional key or with any of the objects described previously.
This installation of the opening and closing device consists of situating a support for the mechanism of the device on the inside of the dwelling. To do so, the support can be adapted to the inner key of the lock cylinder, by cutting, if necessary, depending on the type of device to be installed, a portion of the head of the key, leaving the portion of the key which is housed inside the lock unaltered. There are opening and closing devices on the market which do not need the key to be cut and others which require a cut with a specific geometry in order to fit the mechanism of the opening and closing device. After installing the support on the projection of the cylinder and inserting the key into the lock, the opening and closing device is coupled on the outer portion of the support. Another possibility is to adapt, if there is a cylinder with an inner button, the support to the shaft of said button.
If it is a cylinder which opens by means of a key on both sides, as indicated previously, it is necessary for it to have a dual clutch so that it can be opened from the outside, taking into account that on the inside there will always be a key introduced into the lock. If it is not a cylinder with dual clutch, it cannot be opened from the outside with a mechanical key, for which reason it must always be opened by emitting a signal to the opening and closing device.
If supports are installed for locks with cylinders having a button on the inside, mechanically opening from the outside with a key is always possible since it does not interfere with any internal key.
The drawback of these installations comes from the assembly of the support on the cylinder of the lock, such that it can be situated on the projection left by the cylinder with respect to the door or directly on the surface of the door, which implies the need to perforate it in order to insert the joining elements between the portions, an operation which is not always possible due to the nature of the materials, certifications, aesthetics, robustness of the fastening to the door or other aspects.
The current supports present in the market, which do not involve the alteration of the door, require the cylinder of the lock to protrude with respect to the surface of the door (or of the plate door shield and/or of the rosette) a minimum distance of 5 mm in order to be able to perform the static fastening of the support of the opening and closing device, by means of different tightening methods.
There is not always a cylinder protruding that minimum distance in the doors, wherein the opening and closing device is to be installed, for which reason, it is necessary to replace the cylinder of the lock with another which protrudes said distance. Since the cylinder is one of the main portions of the lock, wherein the security measures such as anti-bumping, anti-drilling, anti-pick or anti-clamp systems, master systems, copies of new keys, etc. can be found, the change in cylinder can bring with it a loss of these security measures of the lock, in addition to an increase in the cost of the installation.
On the market, there is a range of supports which enable opening and closing devices to adapt to habitual locks without limitations in space or the need to modify the cylinders; however, they need perforations in the door in order to ensure the fastening of the mechanism of the opening and closing device, as summarised in FR2933118 wherein a thin sheet is situated on the visible surface of the lock, from the inside of the dwelling, but it is anchored by means of two screws in the door in order to be able to support the mechanism of the opening and closing device.
Other solutions found use specific lock cylinders for assembling this type of doorknob with threaded perpendicular holes for screwing the support that holds up the mechanism of the opening and closing device thereon. This system achieves direct fastening, but it implies changing the cylinder of the existing lock, therefore being a solution that is more expensive, limiting and has complicated logistical management.
Thus, the present invention solves two problems that were not solved in the present state of the art, which are the possibility of installing supports for opening and closing devices which do not require altering the state of the door or of the fittings, or a limited projection space between the cylinder and the surface of the door greater than or equal to 5 mm (or the plate door shield and/or the rosette).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With the aim of reaching the objectives and preventing the aforementioned drawbacks, the present invention describes a support which enables opening and closing devices to be installed in lock cylinders protruding a minimum distance from the door, from the plate door shield and/or from the rosette, broadening the range of locks wherein said opening and closing devices can be installed.
The support has been configured such that it can be installed starting from a considered minimum distance of 1.5 mm between the door (or the plate door shield and/or the rosette, depending on the type of lock present) and the projection of the cylinder of the lock, improving the range of use of the existing supports.
Furthermore, with the support of the invention it is not necessary to change the cylinder of the existing lock or use special cylinders. Likewise, it can be installed in any type of lock regardless of the shape of the profile thereof, such as the European profile, oval profile or round profile. This is due to the fact that the support has a base structure that is fastened on the end of the cylinder of the lock, this base being able to have different shapes without altering the operations of the assembly and as a consequence of this, it can be applied to a wide variety of models without causing large changes in the cost.
The base structure of the support of the invention consists of a body which is installed on the cylinder of the lock and which acts as a joining element between the lock and the mechanism of the device which performs the opening and closing operations of the lock, such that the fastening is performed through a series of elements arranged in the very support.
Thus, the support for installing opening and closing devices in cylinders of the locks comprises: a base structure configured to receive an opening and closing device, wherein the base structure in turn comprises an opening; a tightening system; fastening elements distributed along the perimeter in the opening; wherein the opening houses an end of the cylinder of the lock and wherein the fastening elements fasten the base structure to the end of the cylinder of the lock by means of a pressure exerted by the tightening system.
In one embodiment, the base structure additionally comprises holes wherein each of said holes is connected to the opening by means of a slot; such that the fastening elements are inserted in said holes which have the same orientation as the opening, enabling the contact between the fastening elements and the end of the cylinder of the lock.
The fastening elements are selected from the group consisting of: grub screws; threads; knurled screws; spikes; cylindrical parts with grooves on the side surface thereof; and, prismatic parts with side grooves. The grooves of the fastening elements have an orientation perpendicular to the generatrix of the cylinder of the lock.
The tightening system causes the base structure to be deformed by compressing the walls of the opening and the fastening elements, through the side surface thereof, against the surface of the end of the cylinder of the lock, causing the entire support to be immobilised.
In one embodiment, the tightening system consists of two bolts, wherein each of the bolts is threaded to nuts and crosses through holes of the base structure.
In another embodiment, the tightening system consists of two bolts threaded to the base structure, wherein said two bolts cross through holes of the base structure.
In another embodiment, the tightening system consists of a retaining clip situated on the side surface of the base structure.
In one embodiment, the opening of the base structure has a cross section selected from the group consisting of: circular cross section, oval cross section and having a European cylinder profile.
In one embodiment, the support additionally comprises an adapter. The adapter is selected from the group consisting of: a key adapter with a slot which fits with at least one portion of the head of the key, an adapter with an internal circular cross section and an adapter with an internal square cross section for cylinder locks having a button of said internal square cross section and internal circular cross section on the inner side thereof.
The base structure has slots and hollows which facilitate the deformation of the structure when a pressure exerted by the tightening system acts on it.
The complete immobilisation of the support and the cylinder of the lock is obtained due to the contact made by means of the grooves of the fastening elements, which increases the pressure exerted between the three types of elements (fastening elements, support and cylinder of the lock) when it has less contact surface preventing the support from being able to move or be removed.
This device is what executes the actions of turning the key starting from a rotor housed on the inside thereof once it receives the order through a remote signal. This device is enabled to turn freely with respect to the support fixed to the lock but the movement thereof in any other direction is prevented.
With this configuration, the locking and the unlocking can be performed both from the inside and wirelessly from the outside, as well as with a key from the outside if there is a dual clutch or a lock with a cylinder with a button. The installed device is only visible from the inside of the enclosure and the appearance thereof from the outside is not seen as altered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To complement the description of the invention and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features thereof according to a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached in which the following figures have been depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the support of the opening and closing device exploded in the longitudinal direction wherein all the parts which make up the support are seen.
Figure 2 shows a rear isometric view of the support of the opening and closing device assembled on the cylinder of the lock.
Figure 3 shows a front isometric view of the support of the opening and closing device assembled on the lock wherein the adapter of the key has been removed in order to see the internal portions of the support.
Figure 4 shows an elevation view of the support joined to the cylinder of the lock, distinguishing the distribution of the fastening elements around the cylinder of the lock, the contact points between both of them being seen.
Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the joining of the support to the cylinder of the lock by means of the contact of the fastening elements such that a portion of the base structure is seen in cross section in order to correctly display the fastening elements.
Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the support of the opening and closing device completely assembled on the cylinder of the lock with the adapter.
Figures 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 each show an isometric view of the support of the opening and closing device completely assembled from the rear portion for different types of profiles of existing lock cylinders. European, oval and circular profiles.
Figures 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 each show a rear isometric view of the adapters which can be used in the connection of the cylinder to the opening and closing device.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As seen in Figure 1, the support object of the present invention is mainly made up of a base structure (1), which has an opening (1.4) with the shape of the profile of the cylinder (8) of the lock to be fitted, said profile being selected from among the group made up of a circular cross section (8c), oval cross section (8b) and cross section with a European profile (8a) as shown in Figures 7.3, 7.2 and 7.1 respectively.
In addition to this opening (1.4), the base structure (1) in Figure 1 also shows a tightening system consisting of two side holes (1.2) such that on one end of each side hole a bolt (7) is inserted to be threaded to a nut (6) inserted through the opposite end of each hole (1.2) although the joint can be made directly at the opposite section or half of the threaded support (1). The tightening of this joint generates the elastic deformation of the base structure (1) favoured by vertical slots (1.1) located in the upper and lower portions of the opening (1.4).
The support can use other tightening systems instead of the bolts (7), like a circular retaining clip or flange situated in the perimeter of the base structure (1) which produces the same deformation as the bolts (7) and the same grip on the cylinder of the lock.
The deformation generated on the base structure (1) is causes the inner surface of the opening (1.4) to compress on the cylinder of the lock (8) wherein it is fitted.
To obtain a stiff joint between the support and the surface of the cylinder of the lock which protrudes from the surface of the door (or from the plate door shield and/or from the rosette), the base structure (1) has holes (1.3) situated in the same direction and on the perimeter of the opening (1.4), such that they are connected to the surface of the cylinder of the lock (8) which is introduced into the opening (1.4). In these holes (1.3) fastening elements (5) with transversal grooves or slots are inserted, perpendicular to the generatrixes of the profile of the cylinder of the lock, such that, when the compression is performed, by means of the tightening system, the side surface of the fastening elements (5) comes into contact with the cylinder of the lock (8) exerting greater tightening from the grooves, since by reducing the contact surface, the pressure is greater when exerting the same force.
Thanks to the arrangement of the grooves of the fastening elements (5) dual fastening is obtained, on one hand exerted by the fastening elements (5) against the cylinder of the lock (8) and on the other exerted against the base structure (1).
Therefore, a firm, stiff joint between the portions is achieved although the distance between the cylinder of the lock (8) and the surface of the door is very small, provided that they are larger than 1.5 mm.
The fastening elements (5) are preferably grub screws, cylindrical parts with smaller diameters subjected to lathing operations to generate the grooves in the surface thereof, threads, knurled screws, spikes or prismatic parts with grooves, as long as they have an elevated resistance to deformation in order to exert the tightening on the perimetral surface of the profile of the cylinder (8).
Once the support is assembled and adjusted onto the projection of the cylinder of the lock (8) with respect to the surface of the door, in order to assemble the mechanism of the opening and closing device, in the case where it is a cylinder with opening by means of a key on both sides, a key is inserted into the cylinder by the portion wherein the support has been connected, leaving the head or arch of the key accessible to be coupled to an adapter (4), in this case an adapter for keys (4a), the configuration of which enables the eccentricity of the key to be absorbed when it is turned in the cylinder, thanks to the dimensions and shape of the inner mortise.
If the head of the key has a size or shape not suitable to be inserted into the adapter for keys (4a), cutting or mechanising operations can be performed on the neck of the key in order to make a good fit, without manipulating the rest of the components of the assembly.
Once the key has been introduced into the cylinder, the key adapter (4a) connected to the head or the neck of the key and the mechanism of the opening and closing device coupled on the base structure (1) and the adapter (4), the assembly is completely assembled.
For locks with cylinders having a button on the inner side, the adapter (4) used has a hole or hollow in accordance with the shaft, with an integral fastening system, being able to have a circular internal cross section (4b) or a square internal cross section (4c).
The present invention should not be taken to be limited to the embodiment herein described. Other arrangements may be carried out by those skilled in the art based on the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

A support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders characterised in that it comprises:
a base structure (1) configured to be assembled an opening and closing device, wherein the base structure (1) in turn comprises an opening (1.4);

a tightening system (6,7);

fastening elements (5) distributed along the perimeter in the opening (1.4);
wherein the opening (1.4) houses an end of the cylinder of the lock (8) and wherein in use the fastening elements (5) fasten the base structure (1) to the end of the cylinder of the lock (8) by means of a pressure exerted by the tightening system (6, 7).
The support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders according to claim 1, characterised in that the base structure (1) additionally comprises holes (1.3) wherein each of said holes (1.3) is connected to the opening (1.4) by means of a slot; such that the fastening elements (5) are inserted in said holes (1.3) which have the same orientation as the opening (1.4), enabling the contact between the fastening elements (5) and the end of the lock cylinder (8).
The support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the fastening elements (5) are selected from the group consisting of:
grub screws;

threads;

knurled screws;

spikes;

cylindrical parts with grooves on the side surface thereof; and

prismatic parts with side grooves.
The support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders according to claim 3, characterised in that the grooves of the fastening elements (5) have an orientation perpendicular to the generatrix of the cylinder (8) of the lock.
The support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders according to claim 1, characterised in that the tightening system causes the base structure (1) to deform by compressing the walls of the opening (1.4) and the fastening elements (5), through the side surface thereof, against the surface of the end of the cylinder of the lock (8), causing the entire support to be immobilised.
The support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders according to claim 1 or 5, characterised in that the tightening system consists of two bolts (7), wherein each of said bolts (7) is threaded to nuts (6) and crosses through holes (1.2) of the base structure (1).
The support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders according to claim 1 or 5, characterised in that the tightening system consists of two bolts (7) threaded to the base structure (1) and wherein said two bolts (7) cross through holes (1.2) of the base structure (1).
The support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders according to claim 1 or 5, characterised in that the tightening system consists of a retaining clip situated on a side surface of the base structure (1).
The support for installing opening and closing devices in cylinders of locks according to claim 1, characterised in that the opening (1.4) of the base structure (1) has a cross section selected from the group consisting of: circular cross section, oval cross section and having a european cylinder profile.
The support for installing opening and closing devices in lock cylinders according to claim 1, characterised in that the support additionally comprises an adapter (4) which is selected from the group consisting of: a key adapter (4a) with a slot which fits with at least one portion of the head of the key, an adapter with an internal circular cross section (4b) and an adapter with an internal square cross section (4c) for locks with cylinders having a button of said internal square cross section and internal circular cross section on the inner side thereof.