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Title:
A KEY WITH MECHANICAL LOCK AND UNLOCK VISUAL INDICATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/045783
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A key comprising: a key shaft (110) having its first wide side (118A) in a first color and its second side (118B) in a second color, and further equipped with a pin (112); and a key head (120), having its first wide side (128A) in a first color, and its second side (128B) in a second color, that is inserted into the pin thereby being capable of rotation with respect to the key shaft. The key shaft is further equipped with a limiter (114) that limits the rotation of the key head with respect of the key shaft to 180°. For example, identical colors indicate a lock position, while when not identical indicating the unlocked position. Key head rotation is enabled only once the lock or unlock position of the lock device has reached. In another embodiment the position of the key shaft versus the key, allowing a ninety degree rotation provides the desired indication.

Inventors:
AGASSI OR (LA)
Application Number:
PCT/IL2010/000821
Publication Date:
April 21, 2011
Filing Date:
October 11, 2010
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
AGASSI OR (LA)
International Classes:
E05B19/22
Foreign References:
US5870917A1999-02-16
US5595080A1997-01-21
US4440011A1984-04-03
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Claims:
CLAIMS

A key for a lock device comprising: a key shaft having a distinguishable first surface and a second surface; a key head capable of pivoting 180° with respect to the key shaft and having a distinguishable first surface and a second surface; such that when the first surface of the key shaft and the first surface of the key head are on the same side the lock device is in a first position and when the first surface of the key shaft and the second surface of the key head are on the same side the lock device is in a second position, thereby providing an indication of the state of the lock device when the key is removed from the key hole.

The key of claim 1 , wherein distinguishing between the first surface and the second surface is enabled by using a first color for the first surface and a second color for the second surface.

The key of claim 1 , wherein distinguishing between the first surface and the second surface is enabled by using a first surface having a different tactile feeling from the second surface.

The key of claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the key shaft displays the word "locked" and the first surface of the key head has the word "un".

The key of claim 1 , further comprising: a limiter that limits the pivoting to 180°. The key of claim 5, wherein the key head is captured in a new position with respect to the key shaft upon reach of the 180° degree of the previous position limit such that the key head may be released from the captured position only open applying a desired amount of pressure that is above a predetermined threshold.

The key of claim 6, further comprising: a depression to capture the limiter when the key head reaches the new position.

The key of claim 1 , further comprising: a pin; and a pin hole; such that affixing of the key shaft to the key head is enabled by insertion of the pin into the pinhole.

A method for locking a lock device using a key having a rotating key head about a key shaft, the method comprising: inserting the key into the key hole of the lock device; turning the key to the full extent possible for the lock device; continuing to turn the key head with respect to the key shaft such that the key head is turned 180° with respect of the key shaft; and removing the key from the key hole; such that when the first surface of the key shaft and the first surface of the key head are on the same side the lock device is in a first position and when the first surface of the key shaft and the second surface of the key head are on the same side the lock device is in a second position, thereby providing an indication of the state of the lock device when the key is removed from the key hole.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: distinguishing between the first surface and the second surface is enabled by using a first color for the first surface and a second color for the second surface. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: distinguishing between the first surface and the second surface is enabled by using a first surface having a different tactile feeling from the second surface.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first surface of the key shaft displays the word "locked" and the first surface of the key head has the word "un".

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: capturing the key head in a new position with respect to the key shaft upon reaching of the 180° degree of the previous position limit such that the key head may be released from the captured position only open applying a desired amount of pressure that is above a predetermined threshold.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising: releasing the key head from a captured position only open applying a desired amount of pressure that is above a predetermined threshold.

15. A key head for a lock device comprising: a rod having an engraved cleft a portion of which is wide and a portion of which is narrow and an opening for insertion of an extension of a key shaft; a key head body component having a location into which the angular rod is placed, the location having a track therein, a portion of which being wide and a portion of which being narrow; such that the angular rod can turn within the location by a desired angle with respect to its initial position based on a wide to narrow ratio of each of the cleft and the track. 6. The key head of claim 15, wherein the ratio enables a motion of the rod by ninety degrees with respect to its initial position.

17. The key head of claim 15, wherein the ratio enables a motion of the rod by one hundred and eighty degrees with respect to its initial position.

18. The key head of claim 15, wherein said key head body comprises of a fist element and a second element that when snapped together lock the rod in position.

19. The key head of claim 15, further comprising at least a second rod having an engraved cleft a portion of which is wide and a portion of which is narrow and an opening for insertion of an extension of a key shaft and a second location into which the angular rod is placed, the location having a track therein, a portion of which being wide and a portion of which being narrow.

Description:
A Key with Mechanical Lock and Unlock

Visual Indication

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED ART

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 61/250,679, A Key with Mechanical Lock and Unlock Visual Indication, filed 12 October 2009, and U.S. provisional patent application no. 61/290,152, A Key with Mechanical Lock and Unlock Visual Indication, filed 25 December 2009, the entirety of each of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to keys used for the purpose locking or unlocking a lock device, and more particularly, to a key having an indication of a lock or unlock position of the lock device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART Often is the case when a user of a key to unlock or lock a lock device is hesitant, once leaving the lock device unattended, if the locking or unlocking operation took place. The primary reason for that is that the while the locks themselves may have unlock or lock indicators this is not common affair for keys. Several prior art inventions have been suggested to overcome such failure of memory however they are not in common use. The general disadvantage, whether an electronic or mechanical solution was sought, is for the simple reason that both key and lock device have to be fitted for the specific solution. Moreover, it becomes a cumbersome solution for the multitude of lock devices already in place that are not going to be replaced for merely this reason. Some of the prior art devices further require care when operating the devices to ensure proper operation, or require complex spring mechanisms to control the motion of the key shaft versus the key head.

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art it would be advantageous to provide a solution where a key provides an indication of a lock or unlock position of a lock device that does not require any changes to the lock device and that is preferably simple to use, provides predictable and consistent performance over time, and overcomes the disadvantages of prior art solutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a key implemented in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the key in a first position indicating a first state of the respective lock device;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the key in a second position indicating a second state of the respective lock device;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the key indicating in words the "unlocked" position indication of the key; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the key indicating in words the "locked" position indication of the key; Figure 6 is a schematic 3D diagram of the key in accordance to one embodiment of the principles of the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a ninety degree rotating key shaft versus a key head in accordance with a principle of the invention; and

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the ninety degree rotating key showing details of the internal structure.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A key comprising: a key shaft having its first wide side in a first color and its second side in a second color, and further equipped with a pin; and a key head, having its first wide side in a first color, and its second side in a second color, that is inserted into the pin thereby being capable of rotation with respect to the key shaft. The key shaft is further equipped with a limiter that limits the rotation of the key head with respect of the key shaft to 180°. When the colors of the key shaft and the key head are identical then, for example, the indication is of a lock position, while when they are not identical then, for example, the lock device is in the unlocked position. Key head rotation is enabled only once the lock or unlock position of the lock device has reached.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 that depicts an exemplary and non-limiting schematic diagram of a key 100 implemented in accordance with the principles of the invention. The two major parts of the key 100 are a key shaft 110 and the key head 120. The key shaft 110 is shown in both front view and side view while the key head 120 is shown in front view, side view and top view. The key shaft 1 10 is equipped with a pin 112 and a limiter 1 14. The key shaft 110 further has a front surface 1 18A and a back surface 1 18B. In accordance with the principles of the invention at least the front surface 118A has a different color from the back surface 1 18B, that is, the front surface 1 18A has a first color while the back surface has a second color. The different colors may be a result of, but not limited to, a coat of paint, use of different metals, anodizing, and other techniques that can cause the color of the front surface 1 18A and the back surface 1 18B of the key shaft 1 10 to appear to be having different colors. In one embodiment of the invention, instead of using different colors for one surface versus the other, a process may be used to cause one of the surfaces to feel tactilely different from the opposite surface. This may be useful when used by the color impaired. The key 100 further comprises a key head 120 that has a pinhole 126 to allow the insertion of the corresponding pin 1 12 for affixing the key head 120 to the key shaft 1 10. In one embodiment the design in such that by insertion, under some force, of the pin 1 12 into the pinhole 126, causes the two parts to join and not be easily separated. In one embodiment a rubber o-ring maybe used on the pin 1 12 and pushed through the pinhole 126 for this purpose. Once inserted, the key head 120 is now free to pivot around the pin 1 12. The key head 120 further has a front surface 128A and a back surface 12B. In accordance with the principles of the invention at least the front surface 128A has a different color from the back surface 128B, that is, the front surface 128A has a first color, corresponding to the first color of the surface 1 18A, while the back surface 128B has a second color, corresponding to the first color of the surface 128B. The different colors may be a result of, but not limited to, a coat of paint, use of different metals, anodizing, and other techniques that can cause the color of the front surface 128A and the back surface 128B of the key head 120 to appear to be having different colors. In one embodiment of the invention, instead of using different colors for one surface versus the other, a process may be used to cause one of the surfaces to feel tactilely different from the opposite surface. This may be useful when used by the color impaired. In another embodiment the pin 1 12 is part of the key head 120 and the pinhole is part of the key shaft 1 10. In another embodiment the limiter 1 14 is part of the key head 120 and the depressions 122 and 124 are part of the key shaft 1 10. To complete the design of the key head 120, it further comprises two depressions, 122 and 124 designed to capture the limiter 1 14 when in contact. The depressions 122 and 124 maybe further coated so that when the limiter 1 14 is caused to rest within on of the depression it is captured therein and will not easily release, i.e., it will release only at the application of a force that is above a predefined threshold. As a result of the structure of the key 100 it may have a fist display shown in Fig. 2 where both surfaces 1 18A and 128A are on the same side of the key 100 and a second display, shown in Fig. 3, the surface 1 18A and the surface 128B are on the same side of the key 100. In one embodiment of the invention the first display corresponds to the lock device being unlocked, and the second display corresponds to the lock device being locked.

In another exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, shown in Fig. 4 the word "locked" may appear on the surface 1 18A and the word "un" on the surface 128A. In the first display, shown in Fig. 4, the display will therefore show the word "unlocked". In the second display, shown in Fig. 5, the key head 120 is swiveled by 180° and hence the surface 128B of key head 120 is shown, and therefore the word "locked" is seen. This may be used instead of using a coating or other means to differentiate between the first surface and the second surface of the key shaft 1 10 and the key head 120 respectively.

Referring now to Fig. 6, there is depicted an exemplary and non-limiting schematic 3D diagram of a key 600 in accordance to one embodiment of the principles of the invention. The key comprises a key shaft 610, a ping 612 and a key head 620. The pin 612 is affixed the key shaft 610, mounted on which is the key head 620 such that it is able to swivel around the pin 612 by 180°. Both key shaft 610 and key head 620 are designed so that each has a first surface in a first color and a second surface in a second color, as further explained herein above. While color schemes are shown herein it should be understood that other schemes may be used to differentiate a first surface from the opposite surface, non-limiting examples of which have been provided herein.

The operation of the key 100 is as follows. When the lock device is in an unlocked position the key is in the first position as described herein above. The key 100 is now inserted into the lock device and turned. Because the lock device is easily turned and the key head 120 is held into position by means of the limiter 114 depressed into a depression e.g., 122, the key head 120 turns together with the key shaft 110. Once the lock device is locked no further turns are possible, however, a continued attempt to twist the key head 120 releases the limiter 114 from the respective depression, e.g., depression 122, and enables the turn on the key head 120 with respect of the key shaft 110 for a full 180° to the point where the limiter 114 is depressed against the opposite depression, e.g., depression 124, and due to the pressure applied is now captured by that depression. At this point opposite surface of the key shaft 1 10 and the key head 120 are in place indicating that the lock device is locked. Upon an attempt to open the lock device the opposite occurs. The key 100 is turned in the key hole of the lock device as single unit as it can turn freely. Once the lock device is fully opened and a continued attempt to twist the key takes place, the key head 120 is released to enable a 180° turn and the position of the key 100 surface is now such that the surfaces on one side of the key 100 for both the key shaft 110 and the head 120 are the same.

Reference is now made to Fig. 7 that depicts an exemplary and non-limiting schematic diagram showing a ninety degree rotating key shaft 720 versus a key head 710 in accordance with a principle of the invention. The first view 701 , comprising of a side and top views, shows the key head 710 and the key shaft 720 in a first position. The second view, comprising of a side and top views, 702 shows the key head 710 and the key shaft 720 in a second position, where the key shaft 720 is in a position B, while in view 701 it is in position A. Position B is ninety degrees with respect to the key head 710 relative to position A. To accomplish the task the key shaft has an extension 722 that extends into a rod shaped element(s) 730, described in greater detail with respect of Fig. 8 below. The rod 730 is capable of rotating up to ninety degrees with respect to an initial position within the key head 710. Therefore, when the key is turned into one direction the rotating rod will enable another ninety degrees of motion thereby causing the key shaft 720 to be in a position that may be both seen and felt as being in a different position from when the key is turned in the other direction and then continues the additional ninety degrees. These two different positions provide locked and unlocked information of the key. In one embodiment of the invention only the key head 710 and the rod 730 are provided and the key shaft 720 is inserted separately therein.

Referring to Fig. 8 an exemplary and non-limiting schematic diagram 800 of the ninety degree rotating key showing details of the internal structure. The key head comprises a first element 810 and a second element 820 designed to snap to each other by means of bumps 812 that fit into corresponding depression 822. Once elements 810 and 820 are snapped together they form the key head, for example key head 710 described hereinabove. In addition, there are two rod shaped elements 830 and 840 having corresponding locations 835 and 845 respectively in the elements 810 and 820 into which the rods 830 and 840 are placed prior to snapping elements 810 and 820 together. Each of the rods 830 and 840 have further a passage into which a key shaft extension, for example key shaft extension 722, may be inserted. Each of rods 830 and 840 has a cleft throughout the rim of each rod that is shaped such that a portion of it is narrow 832 and 842, and another portion that is wide 833 and 843. An opposite shaped track is provided within the locations 835 and 847, each having wide track areas 837 and 847 and narrow track areas 836 and 846. The ratio between the wide area of the tracks and the narrow area of the tracks is designed such that when the rods are placed in the respective positions 835 and 845 the rods can rotate to a desired maximum. In one embodiment the ratio is such that it enables a maximum of ninety degrees thereby allowing the two positions shown in Fig, 7. In another embodiment the ratio is such that one hundred and eighty degrees of turn is possible, thereby providing the solution shown, for example, with respect of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, using the mechanism of Fig. 8. A clear advantage over prior art solutions is that this is a springless apparatus that reduces the manufacturing complexity of the device as well as increases its reliability.

The description herein above was with respect to a specific embodiment of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention are possible and are described in more general terms herein. In accordance with the principles of the invention a key is comprised of a key shaft and a key head the key shaft and the key head being coupled to enable the rotation of the key head with respect of the key shaft by 180°. Each of the key shaft and the key holder having a respective first surface that is distinguishable from a respective opposite surface. The way to distinguish between the first surface and the second surface of each of the key shaft and the key head may be a color, a tactile feeling of the surface, and/or text embodied on the surfaces. The key head is fastened into a first position where the first surface of the key head and the first surface of the key shaft are on the same side, and released to enable the turn only once a force above a threshold is applied. This may be reached when turning the key in the keyhole of a lock device beyond the position where the key shaft cannot turn any more. The additional half turn of 180° causes the fastening of the key head with respect of the key shaft to have on one side the first surface of the key shaft and the second surface of the key head, thereby indicating a different position of the lock device. A person skilled-in-the-art will readily note that other embodiment of the invention may be achieved without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention. Both key shaft and key head may have various designs and shapes and such should not be considered a departure from the scope of the invention. All such embodiments are included herein. The scope of the invention should be limited solely by the claims thereto.