EP0305953B1 - Reinforced shank plastic key - Google Patents

Reinforced shank plastic key Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0305953B1
EP0305953B1 EP88114070A EP88114070A EP0305953B1 EP 0305953 B1 EP0305953 B1 EP 0305953B1 EP 88114070 A EP88114070 A EP 88114070A EP 88114070 A EP88114070 A EP 88114070A EP 0305953 B1 EP0305953 B1 EP 0305953B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
key
shank
head
insert
plastic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP88114070A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0305953A2 (en
EP0305953A3 (en
Inventor
Robert E. Almblad
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsubishi Corp
Original Assignee
Axxess Entry Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Axxess Entry Technologies Inc filed Critical Axxess Entry Technologies Inc
Priority to AT8888114070T priority Critical patent/ATE105044T1/de
Priority to EP93106063A priority patent/EP0553900B1/en
Publication of EP0305953A2 publication Critical patent/EP0305953A2/en
Publication of EP0305953A3 publication Critical patent/EP0305953A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0305953B1 publication Critical patent/EP0305953B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B19/00—Keys; Accessories therefor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B19/00—Keys; Accessories therefor
    • E05B19/26—Use of special materials for keys
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
    • A45C11/32—Bags or wallets for holding keys
    • A45C11/325—Spare-key holders
    • A45C11/326—Card-like holders
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B15/00—Other details of locks; Parts for engagement by bolts of fastening devices
    • E05B15/16—Use of special materials for parts of locks
    • E05B15/1635—Use of special materials for parts of locks of plastics materials

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to flat plastic keys according to the preamble of the independent claim and is more particularly concerned with reinforcing such keys against breaking at their shanks due to extraordinary twisting stress applied through the handles of the keys.
  • Conventional metal keys for operating tumbler locks such as in automobiles, building doors, apparatus controls, and the like, have heretofore been generally constructed throughout the shank and bit portions, and generally the handles, or head portion of a uniform thickness common with the bit thickness. Molded plastic keys have also heretofore been constructed of substantially uniform thickness throughout their length similar to comparable metal keys.
  • the key bit must be fairly snuggly fitted in the key slot in the cylinder plug. Looseness of the bit in the key slot might defeat proper engagement of the lock tumblers in the key notches.
  • the general practice has been to provide enlarged entrance dimensions. This results in the key shank often having little if any torque support when subjected to the considerable twisting stress which may occur if for any reason there is resistance to turning of the key in the lock. Such resistance may be variously caused such as by faulty cutting of the key notches, binding due to corrosion or icing, and the like.
  • the general tendency of the user, where there is any such resistance to turning of the key in the lock is to apply additional torque or twisting force to the key through its handle. Metal keys will generally withstand such extraordinary twisting stress.
  • German Patent Application No. 2,037,071 discloses a key having a reinforcing insert extending through the entire lenght of the bit, the shank and into at least a part of the key head.
  • German Patent No. 1,031,677 discloses a key, parts of which eventually coming under high stress, consisting of metal which is surrounded by plastic material.
  • German Patent Application No. 3,518,354 discloses another embodiment of a key having a full length reinforcing insert of particularly metal.
  • German Utility Model No. 1,901,655 discloses a key having a rigid cylindrical section extending between the key handle and a lock actuating member of the key. The end of the cylindrical support element of the key includes a partially hollowed-out interior.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,677,835 discloses a plastic key inter-connected by a plastic hinge to a plastic card structure.
  • the plastic key disclosed in this patent fails to include any reinforcing materials.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,637,236 discloses a related type of plastic key detachably connected within a plastic card. The plastic key includes no reinforcing materials.
  • British Patent No. 1,229,830 discloses a key molded from a thermosetting plastics material which includes a longitudinally extending reinforcing material fabricated from a plurality of flexible glass filaments.
  • the flexible glass filaments extend from a location disposed well within the key head, entirely through the key shank and through the full length of the key bit.
  • the plurality of glass filament reinforcing members because of the inherent flexibility are apparently intended to aid in withdrawing the broken bit of a plastic key rather than to reinforcing the torque transfer capabilities between the key head, key shank and the entrance slot of a cylindrical lock.
  • German Utility Model No. 1,789,132 discloses a plastics material key with a non-specified steel insert.
  • the present invention provides an improved plastics material key.
  • the plastics material key of the present invention can be used alone, or it can be used in combination with means for holding the key, such as a card-like holder.
  • the improved plastics material key of the present invention includes means for substantially lessening the likelihood that the plastics material key will break or fail when unusual resistance or torque is encountered then the plastics material key is utilized in a lock or the like.
  • the plastics material key includes means for reinforcing the key.
  • the means for reinforcing the key increases the strength of the key over that of a key which is essentially only a plastic duplicate of a standard metal key.
  • the means for reinforcing the plastics material key is so constructed and arranged that it does not interfere or hinder the cutting of notches or slots in the key that are necessary along at least one side of the bit to actuate the tumblers of a lock. Accordingly, the present invention provides a means for reinforcing the key that does not hinder or hamper some of the advantages of a plastic material key. For example, a plastics material key imay be easier for a key cutter to cut than a corresponding metal key. However, if a rigid insert were placed within the plastics material key and extended along the entire length of the key any advantages inherent in the ability to cut a plastics material key would be lost. Furthermore, the plastics material key provides a lightweight key when compared to some typical metal keys. An extending rigid member throughout the entire length of the key would increase the weight of the key and limit some of the advantages of a plastics material key.
  • the present invention also provides a plastics material key having a reinforcement member that can be used with a variety of different keys. There are a variety of different key blanks having different shank and bit constructions with varying groove configurations. The present invention provides means for reinforcing plastics material key that can utilized with a majority of the known typical key structures.
  • An important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved molded key constructed from a plastics material which is strengthened against torque induced breakage of the shank portion of the key.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved molded plastic key provided with a shank reinforcing insert.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved molded plastics material key in which the shank is strengthened through the addition to the plastic material of a strengthening material.
  • Fig. 1 is a plan view of another embodiment of a molded plastics material key having a rigid insert of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rigid insert embodied in the molded plastics material key and insert of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the molded plastics material key of Fig. 1 taken along lines XXXVIII-XXXVIII of Fig. 1.
  • the plastics material key 301 includes a head portion 315, shank portion 311, and bit portion 303.
  • a rigid insert 313 for reinforcing the shank is embedded within a portion of the head 315 and the shank 311 of the plastics material key 301.
  • the head 315 includes a slot 371 or hole that provides means for supporting the insert 313 during molding. The slot 371 further functions to provide means for stress relieving portions of the key adjacent the insert 313 so that the key 301 does not substantially deform as the plastics material of the key cools after molding.
  • the embodiment of the rigid insert 313 illustrated has a substantially Z-shaped cross-section.
  • the rigid insert 313 includes a body portion 314 having extending side portions 341 and 343 having a reduced cross-sectional thickness. These side portions 341 and 343 are located in planes offset from each other with respect to a thickness of the shank 311. Accordingly, the side portions 341 and 343 can be received within reduced thickness offset side portions 319 and 321 of the molded plastics material key 301.
  • This construction allows the rigid insert 313 to be utilized with keys that have longitudinal side areas that do not lie within the same horizontal plane.
  • the offset side portions 341 and 343 extend all the way from one end of the rigid insert 313 to approximately a second end allowing the insert relatively easy movement into a portion of the slot 371 during the shrinking of the plastics material of the key 301 after molding.
  • the rigid insert 313 includes an extending flange portion 373.
  • the flange 373 provides an interlock with the plastics material of the key 301.
  • the extended side portions 341 and 343, or body portion 314 of the rigid insert may be coplanar, or approximately coplanar, with a portion of the bit 303 of the key 301, the flange 373 ensures that the rigid insert 313 is secured within the key.
  • the flange 373 includes a semi-circular cut-out portion 374.
  • the semi-circular cut-out portion 374 is utilized to at least partially receive a locater pin that allows the rigid insert 313 to be securely positioned within the mold cavity during the molding process of the key 301.
  • the present invention provides means that afford substantial reinforcement protection against torque damage to the critical areas of the molded plastic keys.

Landscapes

  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
EP88114070A 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Reinforced shank plastic key Expired - Lifetime EP0305953B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT8888114070T ATE105044T1 (de) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Verstaerkter plastikschluesselschaft.
EP93106063A EP0553900B1 (en) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Reinforced shank plastic key

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US9149287A 1987-09-03 1987-09-03
US91492 1987-09-03
US15588488A 1988-02-16 1988-02-16
US155884 1988-02-16
US21676388A 1988-07-08 1988-07-08
US216763 1988-07-08

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93106063.6 Division-Into 1988-08-29

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0305953A2 EP0305953A2 (en) 1989-03-08
EP0305953A3 EP0305953A3 (en) 1990-06-13
EP0305953B1 true EP0305953B1 (en) 1994-04-27

Family

ID=27376915

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88114070A Expired - Lifetime EP0305953B1 (en) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Reinforced shank plastic key
EP93106063A Expired - Lifetime EP0553900B1 (en) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Reinforced shank plastic key

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93106063A Expired - Lifetime EP0553900B1 (en) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Reinforced shank plastic key

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0305953B1 (pt)
JP (1) JPH01146086A (pt)
KR (1) KR890005363A (pt)
AU (1) AU603250B2 (pt)
BR (1) BR8804530A (pt)
CA (1) CA1334797C (pt)
DE (2) DE3889266T2 (pt)
MX (1) MX172828B (pt)
NZ (1) NZ225897A (pt)
PL (1) PL274407A1 (pt)
PT (1) PT88419A (pt)
YU (1) YU168788A (pt)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5272895A (en) * 1991-03-29 1993-12-28 Best Lock Corporation High security key and cylinder lock assembly
US5136869A (en) * 1991-03-29 1992-08-11 Best Lock Corporation High security key and cylinder lock assembly
KR101103079B1 (ko) * 2009-04-08 2012-01-06 이문태 못 제조기의 펀칭 장치
AT514254B1 (de) * 2013-05-14 2016-06-15 Evva Sicherheitstechnologie Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Schlüssels sowie eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2653492A (en) * 1951-08-10 1953-09-29 Curtis Ind Inc Bimetallic key blank
DE1669387U (de) * 1953-04-22 1953-12-31 Heinz Roesinger Schluessel fuer tuerschloesser od. dgl.
DE1031677B (de) * 1953-04-22 1958-06-04 Heinz Roesinger Schluessel fuer Tuerschloesser od. dgl.
DE1789132U (de) * 1959-02-20 1959-05-21 Hermann Weis Kunststoffschluessel.
DE1901655U (de) * 1964-06-23 1964-10-01 Krause Kg Robert Schluessel aus kunststoff, insbesondere fuer moebelschloesser.
CH495488A (de) * 1967-08-15 1970-08-31 Dana Eugene Schlüssel sowie Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung
DE2037071A1 (de) * 1970-07-27 1972-02-03 Strohschnitter & Co, 2000 Hamburg Schlüssel
US4637236A (en) * 1984-06-12 1987-01-20 Almblad Donald F Key and retainer card combination
DE3518354A1 (de) * 1985-05-22 1986-11-27 Heinrich Winkelhard GmbH & Co KG Plastik- u. Metallwarenfabrik, 4708 Kamen Verfahren zur herstellung von schluesseln oder von schluesselrohlingen fuer schloesser
US4677835A (en) * 1986-04-10 1987-07-07 Donald Almblad Plastic card/key combination and hinge structure
US4737236A (en) * 1986-09-08 1988-04-12 M/A-Com, Inc. Method of making microwave integrated circuits

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NZ225897A (en) 1991-02-26
EP0553900B1 (en) 1997-10-15
DE3889266D1 (de) 1994-06-01
CA1334797C (en) 1995-03-21
PT88419A (pt) 1989-07-31
DE3889266T2 (de) 1994-09-22
DE3856046T2 (de) 1998-02-12
MX172828B (es) 1994-01-17
EP0553900A3 (en) 1993-09-01
EP0553900A2 (en) 1993-08-04
BR8804530A (pt) 1989-04-04
KR890005363A (ko) 1989-05-13
DE3856046D1 (de) 1997-11-20
AU2154788A (en) 1989-03-09
EP0305953A2 (en) 1989-03-08
PL274407A1 (en) 1989-05-02
YU168788A (en) 1990-10-31
EP0305953A3 (en) 1990-06-13
JPH01146086A (ja) 1989-06-08
AU603250B2 (en) 1990-11-08

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