EP0553900A2 - Verstärkter Plastikschlüsselschaft - Google Patents

Verstärkter Plastikschlüsselschaft Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0553900A2
EP0553900A2 EP93106063A EP93106063A EP0553900A2 EP 0553900 A2 EP0553900 A2 EP 0553900A2 EP 93106063 A EP93106063 A EP 93106063A EP 93106063 A EP93106063 A EP 93106063A EP 0553900 A2 EP0553900 A2 EP 0553900A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
key
shank
plastic
lock
groove
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP93106063A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0553900A3 (en
EP0553900B1 (de
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.)
Axxess Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Corp
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 Mitsubishi Corp, Axxess Entry Technologies Inc filed Critical Mitsubishi Corp
Publication of EP0553900A2 publication Critical patent/EP0553900A2/de
Publication of EP0553900A3 publication Critical patent/EP0553900A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0553900B1 publication Critical patent/EP0553900B1/de
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 molded plastic keys, whether individual keys, or plastic card/key combinations on the order of the disclosure in my U.S. Patent No. 4,677,835 dated July 7, 1987, 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.
  • 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 when 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 key includes a thickening of at least a portion of the key.
  • portions of the shank are thickened, other areas of the key may also be thickened.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved molded plastic key in which the shank portion is reinforced by a thickening.
  • 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.
  • a molded key constructed from a plastics material having a handle, a shank and a bit, and in which the shank is reinforced against breakage due to unusual torque applied through the key handle when resistance to turning is encountered after the bit is inserted into a lock.
  • a modified shorter molded plastic key 27 having a handle 28, a short shank 29 and a bit 30 of a suitable length for the intended purpose.
  • the bit 30 has a rabbet groove 31 along only one side providing a thin longitudinal side area for receiving tumbler pin notches 32.
  • the key 27 is especially adaptable for operating a tumbler lock 33 of the kind having an escutcheon 34 providing an entrance with lead-in surfaces 35 and 37 of wider dimensions than a key slot 38 within the plug of the lock and into which the bit 30 fits fairly snuggly.
  • a thickening 30 of shank 29 which stops short of the notch 32 located in the bit 30 nearest to the shank.
  • the thickening 39 which extends over onto the handle 28 on each face of the key, the thickening tapers toward the handle substantially as shown.
  • the thickening 39 on each face of the key extends from side-to-side of the key as is clearly evident in Fig. 2.
  • the groove g that runs along a portion of the length of the blade of the key 27, for indexing with internal configurations of a slot of a tumbler, does not extend all the way to a head end of the shank 29. This functions to reinforce the shank 29 and make it stiffer.
  • the shank of the plastic key can be reinforced merely by shortening the length of the groove without the necessity of making the shank thicker than remaining portions of the key.
  • An embodiment similar to Figs. 1-4 without any thickening of the shank is shown in Figs. 5-8.
  • a reinforced shank molded plastic key 40 is provided which is especially suitable for use with tumbler locks that do not have the entrances into the key slot of significantly larger cross sectional dimensions than the key slot.
  • tumbler locks are especially prevelant outside of the U.S.A., particularly, in automobile locks.
  • the key 40 has a handle 41 which may be thicker than a short shank 42 and a bit 43 of suitable length.
  • the shank 42 and the bit 43 may have one or more longitudinally extending coding grooves 44, and at least one rabbet groove 45 along one longitudinal side of the bit 43 providing a relatively thin longitudinal side area 47 for having tumbler notches 48 cut therein to enable opening an intended tumbler lock (not shown).
  • a highly torque resistant reinforcing insert 48 is embodied in the shank 42 and the adjacent portion of the key handle.
  • the insert 48 comprises a thin hard metal member, desirably a hard steel stamping including a shank-reinforcing extension or finger 49 projecting from a body 50 having a head portion 51 at the opposite end from the finger 49. Rounded, i.e. radiused, corners 51 a on the head 51 and similarly rounded corners 50 on the body 50 enhance molded integrity of the plastic key 40 and the insert 48.
  • the reinforcing finger 49 is of a width and thickness to be received in the shank portion of the tumbler pin notch-receiving area 47.
  • the finger 49 is desirably slightly less than the width of the key area 47 so as to maintain integrity of the shank portion 42 of the key relative to the key handle 41 and the bit 43.
  • the thickness of the reinforcing finger 49 and the key area 47 is preferably identical, and the opposite faces of the finger 49 may be exposed at the opposite faces of the area 47, whereby the finger 49 may be substantially in direct torque force contact with the entrance end of a tumbler lock key slot within which the shank 42 is received after the bit 43 has been fully inserted in the slot for operating the lock.
  • the length and terminal end of the finger 49 are calculated to extend the maximum permissible distance into the shank and the shank end of the area 47, having regard to the nearest tumbler pin notch 48.
  • a slanted or oblique terminal edge 49a is provided on the finger 49 to afford a clearance relative to the nearest notch 48 that may be cut in the area 47.
  • the diagonal terminal edge 49a terminates short of the place for the nearest notch 48, leaving a narrow separating portion of the area 47 between the edge 49a and the nearest notch 48.
  • the body portion 50 of the insert 48 is dimensioned to be embedded within a stop portion 52 of the handle 40 and which stop portion abuts the outer end of a lock when the key shank is fully received within a lock.
  • the head end portion 51 of the insert 48 is dimensioned to be embedded within the key handle 41 and is desirably of a length which will occupy about half the length of the handle, and is of a sufficient width for a thorough torque transmission connection between the finger 49 and the area of the handle 41 which is digitally grasped when turning the key 40 for operating a lock.
  • the flat insert 48 is substantially thinner than the key handle 41.
  • the shank 42, and the main thickness of the bit 43, and the body portion 50 and the head portion 51 are respectively sufficiently narrower than the stop portion 52 and the handle 41, so that as moldably imbedded in the handle 41 the insert is thoroughly integrated in the handle.
  • Such molded integration and integrity of the key insert unit is enhanced by having the handle 41 substantially thicker than the insert 48.
  • the key 40 may be utilized independently, it may also provide the key for a plastic card/key combination as depicted in Figs. 14-17.
  • the key 40 is located within a complementary recess 53 within a preferably generally wallet size holder 54.
  • the recess 53 is located as conveniently near one side of the card 54 so that the remaining area of the face, or both faces, of the card can be utilized for any desired legends or indicia as schematically shown at 55.
  • integral multidirectional hinge means 55 comprising a unitary part of the molding and formed from the same material as the key and the molded card, and integrally connecting an edge of the key head or handle 41 to an edge of the card 54 in the recess 53.
  • the hinge means 55 comprises a generally elongated element which permits the key to be not only swung out of the plane of the card 54 but also to be twisted relative to the card on and about the hinge without breaking away from the card.
  • the hinge 55 comprises a generally rod shaped element which may be of cylindrical cross section and is longer than its diameter. Although the hinge 55 may be of slightly smaller diameter than the thickness of the head 41, as best seen in Fig.
  • the hinge diameter may be slightly greater than the thickness of the card 54.
  • a reinforcement extension 57 extends from the attached end of the hinge 55 onto the adjacent portion of the card 54 and is connected to a reinforcing rib 58 which runs along the edge of the card and stiffens the card in this area against undue flexibility.

Landscapes

  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
EP93106063A 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Verstärkter Plastikschlüsselschaft Expired - Lifetime EP0553900B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

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
EP88114070A EP0305953B1 (de) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Verstärkter Plastikschlüsselschaft

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88114070.1 Division 1988-08-29

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0553900A2 true EP0553900A2 (de) 1993-08-04
EP0553900A3 EP0553900A3 (en) 1993-09-01
EP0553900B1 EP0553900B1 (de) 1997-10-15

Family

ID=27376915

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93106063A Expired - Lifetime EP0553900B1 (de) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Verstärkter Plastikschlüsselschaft
EP88114070A Expired - Lifetime EP0305953B1 (de) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Verstärkter Plastikschlüsselschaft

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88114070A Expired - Lifetime EP0305953B1 (de) 1987-09-03 1988-08-29 Verstärkter Plastikschlüsselschaft

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0553900B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH01146086A (de)
KR (1) KR890005363A (de)
AU (1) AU603250B2 (de)
BR (1) BR8804530A (de)
CA (1) CA1334797C (de)
DE (2) DE3889266T2 (de)
MX (1) MX172828B (de)
NZ (1) NZ225897A (de)
PL (1) PL274407A1 (de)
PT (1) PT88419A (de)
YU (1) YU168788A (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* 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

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1669387U (de) * 1953-04-22 1953-12-31 Heinz Roesinger Schluessel fuer tuerschloesser od. dgl.
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
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
US4637236A (en) * 1984-06-12 1987-01-20 Almblad Donald F Key and retainer card combination
US4677835A (en) * 1986-04-10 1987-07-07 Donald Almblad Plastic card/key combination and hinge structure

Family Cites Families (4)

* 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
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.
US4737236A (en) * 1986-09-08 1988-04-12 M/A-Com, Inc. Method of making microwave integrated circuits

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1669387U (de) * 1953-04-22 1953-12-31 Heinz Roesinger Schluessel fuer tuerschloesser od. dgl.
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

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU603250B2 (en) 1990-11-08
JPH01146086A (ja) 1989-06-08
PT88419A (pt) 1989-07-31
YU168788A (en) 1990-10-31
EP0305953B1 (de) 1994-04-27
DE3856046D1 (de) 1997-11-20
EP0553900A3 (en) 1993-09-01
BR8804530A (pt) 1989-04-04
EP0305953A3 (en) 1990-06-13
DE3856046T2 (de) 1998-02-12
EP0305953A2 (de) 1989-03-08
KR890005363A (ko) 1989-05-13
EP0553900B1 (de) 1997-10-15
MX172828B (es) 1994-01-17
CA1334797C (en) 1995-03-21
NZ225897A (en) 1991-02-26
PL274407A1 (en) 1989-05-02
DE3889266T2 (de) 1994-09-22
AU2154788A (en) 1989-03-09
DE3889266D1 (de) 1994-06-01

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