Latching mechanism having a plurality of switching positions

摘要

A large number of different authorisation levels for different switching positions can be implemented in a latching mechanism by moving at least one locking element in the lock cylinder through tumblers of different depth on the key into positions in which it projects to a different extent beyond the surface of the lock cylinder and then abuts against in each case one of a plurality of steps of a recess in the lock body, the individual steps of different height corresponding to different switch positions. The hierarchy levels increase from each switch position to the next, and each key associated with a specific switching position also makes it possible to switch into the preceding positions. The number of lock elements which are used as limiting elements is governed by the number of authorisation levels required: the individual limiting bolts are in each case allocated to one group of authorisation levels and come into operation successively. <IMAGE>