EP1088953A1

EP1088953A1 - A blade ejection/retraction mechanism particularly for a lock key blade and a key case including such mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP1088953A1
Application number: EP00500204A
Authority: EP
Inventors: José Carlos de Medeiros
Original assignee: Valeo do Brasil Comercio e Participacao Ltda
Current assignee: Valeo Sistemas Automotivos Ltda
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 2000-09-25
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Also published as: BR9905598A

Abstract

There is disclosed a blade ejection/retraction mechanism having a simple structure, with only a few components and working in a reliable manner allowing both the ejection and the retraction of the blade in an entirely automatic manner and characterized by comprising substantially a supporting block (1) having a passageway (6) and locking devices provided laterally to the passageway, a blade (13) slidingly housed in the passageway (6) and provided with latching means able to cooperate with the lateral locking devices, a striker plate (13) slidingly housed in the supporting block (1) and provided with lock releasing elements also able to cooperate with the lateral locking devices, a tension element (20) prestressed between the blade (7) and the striker plate (13), the same being movable from a first position, wherein the lateral locking devices keep the blade retracted, to a second position, wherein the lock releasing elements interact with the lateral locking devices, causing the blade (7) to be ejected, and in the opposite sense of the striker plate (13), from a second position to a first position causing the blade (7) to be retracted. There is also disclosed a key case including the said mechanism.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention refers to a blade ejection/retraction mechanism, particularly for a lock key blade, especially a key blade for an ignition key or a key used in doors of automotive vehicles.
A great number of ejection/retraction mechanisms are known in the art and are used for a number of different purposes.
However, these known ejection/retraction mechanisms are hindered by including a great number of parts, and by being relatively large and widely prone to working failure when operated.
Furthermore, there is not known in the prior art a device including a blade ejection/retraction mechanism, wherein the blade itself is a lock key blade, and more particularly, such as used in connection with an ignition key and/or a door lock key for an automotive vehicle.
In this regard, the present invention is aimed at providing a blade ejection/retraction mechanism, particularly for a lock key blade, characterized by having a simple structure, that may be built with a small size and providing an extremely reliable operating mode.
In addition, the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention is intended for an entirely distinct application from the predictable applications thereof according to the state of the art, although the underlying concept therein is well suited for such use.
Another object of the invention consists in providing a blade ejection/retraction mechanism, wherein the blade may be ejected and retracted, respectively, by means of a short course of displacement of the actuating handle, allowing the use of substantially small force to be applied by the user upon the handle in order to actuate the mechanism. Additionally, the ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention, notwithstanding the smoothness of its operation and the short operating course thereof, warrants an efficient and fail proof operation both for the blade ejection and for the blade retraction.
The above objects are achieved, according to the invention, by a blade ejection/retraction mechanism substantially comprised of a supporting block having a passageway and locking devices provided laterally to the passageway, a blade slidingly housed in the passageway and provided with latching means to cooperate with the lateral locking devices, a striker plate slidingly housed in the supporting block and provided with lock release elements also provided to cooperate with the lateral locking devices, a tension element prestressed between the blade and the striker plate, the latter being movable from a first position, wherein the lateral locking devices keep the blade retracted, to a second position, wherein the lock release elements interact with the lateral locking devices, causing the blade to be ejected, and in the opposite sense of the striker plate motion, from a second position to a first position causing the blade to be retracted.
The blade ejection/retraction mechanism with the above characteristics has a very simple structure due to comprising only a few parts that interact with each other with remarkable precision, thus providing a remarkable level of reliability. Furthermore, there has been obtained for the first time a mechanism with such small number of parts, but able to produce both the ejection and the retraction of the blade with a single handling element and using one single tension element.
In an improvement of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention, the passageway in the supporting block may exhibit a cross section substantially in the shape of an inverted "T" forming the housing for the blade. In this manner, the blade may be perfectly guided along the passageway, in order to be able to slide perfectly and with precision along the passageway, thus excluding the possibility of the blade getting stuck upon the mechanism being actuated.
Another improvement of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention is characterized in that the lateral locking devices include lateral cutouts in the supporting block intercepting the passageway and combined blade springs, the respective ends thereof projecting into the respective cutouts to provide obstructions to the displacement of the blade, and preferably, the latching means may be embodied in the form of at least a notch in the blade, while the lock releasing elements may include lugs similar to cams, formed in the striker plate and respectively associated with the blade springs.
Also, in a preferred embodiment of the mechanism, the tension element is configured as a helical spring.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention, the blade is formed as a key blade, particularly a key used in a door and/or the ignition of an automotive vehicle.
In a convenient manner, the blade ejection/retraction mechanism may be built into the key box of an automotive vehicle in order to constitute a portable assembly or case for the keys of a vehicle, and may optionally include other devices related to the vehicle's operation and/or alarm system

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention shall be described in further detail below, based on the attached drawings. The figures show:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention, showing its individual components separated from one another;
Figure 2 is a top view of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism, showing the striker plate in a first operating position, i.e. with the blade in the retracted state;
Figure 3 is another top view of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism, showing the striker plate in a second operating position, i.e. with the blade in the ejected state;
Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of a portable box or case containing the ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In Figure 1 there is illustrated an exploded view, in perspective, of all the parts that integrate the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention. These components are shown separately above one another, in their approximate assembly position, in order to provide a better illustration and understanding of the basic structure and mutual cooperation thereof.
The blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention includes a supporting block substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped with length substantially greater than the other dimensions, in order to constitute an elongate body. The supporting block is split lengthwise in two parts, forming a lower supporting block part 1, hereinafter simply referred as supporting block and designated by the reference numeral 1, and an upper block part, hereinafter simply referred as block cover and designated by the reference numeral 2.
The block cover 2 is attached to the supporting block 1 by means of capscrews 3, which are made to pass through bores 4 in the apex region of the block cover 2 and are screwed into corresponding threaded bores 5 in the supporting block 1, therefore providing, in the assembled state, the substantial shape of a parallelepiped. Obviously, this attachment may also be achieved using any adequate fasteners known in the art, for example, by welding, riveting, etc..
In the current embodiment of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism, the supporting block 1 is a part preferentially made of metal, which is finely machined to provide the dimensionally tight fit and operationally perfect interaction of the other mechanism components, as well as to withstand the stresses that are established upon the operation thereof.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the supporting block 1 includes a through passage 6, which configuration is symmetrical to a vertical plane extending centrally and along the greater dimension thereof. More precisely, viewed in cross section, the through passage 6 has the shape of an inverted "T", the horizontal leg of the inverted "T" constituting the through passage itself, with approximately rectangular cross section, while the vertical leg of the inverted "T" is formed by a continuous slit 8 with open top and extending centrally along the entire length of the supporting block 1.
A blade 7, intended to be ejected and retracted, is slidingly inserted in the through passage 6. In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the blade 7 used is a key blade for locks of any type, and most preferably, for door locks and/or ignition cylinders of automotive vehicles. The blade 7 is a key blade for a conventional lock, having a section which should be provided with a combination tumbler mechanism, and an adjacent upper section. In this adjacent upper section, the blade 7 is provided with a notch 7', the function whereof shall be described below.
In consequence of the inverted "T" shape of the through passage 6, the supporting block 1 is shaped in order to have two contiguous upper flanks 9, extending longitudinally along the length of the supporting block 1 and separated from one another by the slit 8. These longitudinal upper flanks 9 are machined in order to define apex protrusions for attachment of the cited block cover 2, as well as recesses adequate for receiving and supporting other components of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention, which will be described below.
As may be seen in Figure 1, the upper portion of the supporting block 1 is recessed approximately at the central region thereof, and the upper surfaces of the upper longitudinal flanks 9 form, adjacent to the slit, a respective longitudinal sliding surface.
As may be further seen in Figure 1, the supporting block 1 is provided at each lateral flank thereof with a transversal cutout 10 that opens into the passageway 6. The transversal cutouts 10 are offset longitudinally from one another and are located in approximately symmetrical positions diagonally in respect of the length of the supporting block 1.
To each transversal cutout 10 there is associated a blade spring 11. The blade springs 11 are, on one hand, embedded in a respective upper longitudinal flank 9 of the supporting block 1 and extend for a certain length along the supporting block 1. The free end of each blade spring 11 is angled in the shape of an "L", and the free end extends into the respective transversal cutout 10.
In the normal state of the blade springs, that is, in the released state thereof, the blade springs 11 are always positioned inside the respective transversal cutouts 10, and therefore, the passageway 6, thus forming respective obstructions inside the passageway 6 to the displacement of the blade 7 and to delimit a course corresponding approximately to the longitudinal offset between the transversal cutouts 10.
Furthermore, at the front part of one of the longitudinal upper flanks 9 there is provided a course limiting recess 12 having a longitudinal length indicated by the letter c, and provided adjacent to one of the protrusions for attachment of the block cover 2.
The blade ejection/retraction mechanism also included a striker plate designated by the reference numeral 13, that is depicted in Figure 1 above the supporting block 1 approximately in projection from its assembled position. The striker plate 13 consists, in the current embodiment, of a pressed piece of metal plate, substantially flat and dimensioned to be installed, enabling the sliding thereof, on the longitudinal upper flanks 9 and over the slit 8 of the supporting block 1. It has a substantially rectangular elongate shape, adapted to be able to be received slidingly in a reciprocating longitudinal motion, in the upper cavity in the supporting block 1.
The striker plate 13 is further provided with a first projection 14, which is bent upwards at a right angle and forms an actuating lever to operate the blade ejection/retraction mechanism.
In the assembled state of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism, the actuating lever 14 passes through an oblong opening in the block cover 2 and is provided with an actuating handle 15, which both provides an aesthetically pleasant finish and facilitates the operation of the mechanism.
Additionally, the striker plate 13 is provided with a second transversal protrusion 16, located in the same horizontal plane of the striker plate 13, where in the assembled state of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism, the same is received at the course delimiting recess 12 in order to delimit the course of actuation of the operating handle 14, upon being operated by the user, and therefore, the course of the striker plate 13 between two actuation positions to the same length of the course limiting recess 12. These actuation positions correspond to a first position wherein the blade 7 is retracted and an ejection position thereof.
In addition, the striker plate 13 is also configured with two lugs shaped as cams in opposite edges, located approximately in diagonal symmetry relative to the longitudinal length of the striker plate 13, each one of these being able to be associated to a respective blade spring 11, in order to move the same outwards for the purpose of freeing the obstruction of the blade 7, as will be described in further detail below.
Also, the striker plate 13 is configured with a front end in the shape of a fork 19 and a rear end in the shape of a fork 19', that are placed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the striker plate 13.
A tension element, in the present example of embodiment comprising a helical spring 20, is attached between the front end 19 of the striker plate 13 and the key blade 7, in order to be always prestressed between these components. The attachment of the spring 20, on one hand, to the striker plate 13, is provided by means of a front fastening prong 21, that is made to fit in the fork-shaped front end 19 of the striker plate 13, and on the other hand, its attachment to the key blade 7 is provided by means of a rear fastening prong 21', that grips the rear edge of the key blade 7, such that the said key blade 7 is subject to the tension applied by the helical spring 20.
In Figure 2 there is shown a first operating position of the blade ejection/retraction device, i.e., with the blade 7 retracted, while Figure 3 shows a second operating position of the blade ejection/retraction device, i.e., with the blade 7 ejected. These figures shall be described hereinafter in connection with the description of the operating mode as follows.

Operating Mode of the Ejection/Retraction Mechanism

Figures 2 and 3 are front views of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism, respectively depicting the blade 7 when retracted and the blade 7 when ejected.
From the position in Figure 2, with the mechanism not having been activated, the blade 7 is completely housed within the through passage 6 of the supporting block 1, that is, in the retracted position, and is prestressed by the helical spring 20, which applies a pressure to the same in the direction of ejection thereof. However, in this position, the blade 7 is retained by the end of the blade spring 11 (lower blade spring in Figure 2), entering the notch 7' of the key blade 7, thus forming a sort of detent or obstruction to the movement thereof.
As the user moves the actuation handle 15, and therefore the actuation lever 14, in the direction of arrow A along the course of length c, the striker plate 13 moves forward in the direction to the left of the drawing, i.e. of extraction, whereby a cam-type lug of the striker plate 13 is made to cooperate with the blade spring 11, driving the same away and unlatching it from the blade recess 7'. As soon as this locking cooperation is disabled, the blade 7 is released and the force of the helical spring 21, which is strongly prestressed, acts towards impelling and ejecting suddenly and quickly the blade 7 in nearly its entire length from the supporting block 1. In this situation, the ejection/retraction mechanism assumes the position illustrated in Figure 3. The course of the blade 7 is limited by means of a detent 22 (see Figure 1) on the surface of the blade that abuts corresponding detents inside the through passage 6.
In the position illustrated in Figure 3, the front (upper in Figures 2 and 3) blade spring is tensioned into its cutout and forms a sort of detent that prevents the inadvertent return of the blade 7 into the through passage 6. The blade 7 is thereby exposed and locked.
In the opposite case, that is, when it is intended to retract the blade 7, the user simply has to move the actuation handle 15 in the opposite sense to that of arrow A, whereby the front cam-type lug of the striker plate 13 impacts against the front (upper in Figures 2 and 3) blade spring in order to move the same outwards, thus unlocking the blade 7, which is still under the action of the helical spring 20, although in the opposite sense, and prestresses and pulls the blade 7 to the initial position thereof.
The mechanism is easy to actuate, and the operation thereof is smooth and reliable. No handling or contact of the user with the blade 7 are required. Furthermore, the mechanism is unique in that it is extremely versatile and may be used for a multiplicity of applications.
Figures 4 and 5 depict one of the preferred applications of the present invention. These figures are perspective views of a box or case for the keys of an automotive vehicle wherein the blade ejection/retraction mechanism is integrated, the blade being shown retracted in Figure 4 and the key blade 7 being shown ejected in Figure 5.
Therefore, the case may include the ejection/retraction mechanism wherein the blade is an ignition key or a key used for the doors of a vehicle. The case may be produced with small dimensions, in order to comprise a portable set of keys for a vehicle, and thus serve as a key fob. The key case may optionally include other devices pertaining to the operation and/or the alarm system of the vehicle.
Finally, there should be pointed out that although the present invention has been described based on a preferred embodiment of the ejection/retraction mechanism, it is obvious that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Therefore, there is intended to include within the scope of protection of the invention all alternatives, modifications and variations found within the spirit and scope of the attached claims.

Claims

A blade ejection/retraction mechanism, particularly for a lock key blade, especially the blade of a key used in the ignition and/or the doors of automotive vehicles, characterized by comprising substantially a supporting block (1) having a passageway (6) and locking devices provided laterally to the passageway, a blade (7) slidingly housed in the passageway and provided with latching means able to cooperate with the lateral locking devices, a striker plate (13) slidingly housed in the supporting block (1) and provided with lock release elements also able to cooperate with the lateral locking devices, a tension element (20) prestressed between the blade (7) and the striker plate (13), the same being movable from a first position, wherein the lateral locking devices elements keep the blade (7) retracted, to a second position, wherein the lock release elements interact with the lateral locking devices, causing the blade (7) to be ejected and, in the opposite sense of the striker plate (13), from a second position to a first position causing the blade (7) to be retracted.
A blade ejection/retraction mechanism, according to claim 1, characterized by the passageway (6) in the supporting block (1) having substantially the cross-sectional shape of an inverted "T" forming the blade (7) housing.
A blade ejection/retraction mechanism, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the lateral locking devices including lateral cutouts (10) in the supporting block (1) intercepting the passageway (6) and blade springs (11) in combination, the respective ends thereof projecting into the respective cutouts (10) in order to constitute obstructions to the displacement of the blade (7).
A blade ejection/retraction mechanism, according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by the latching means being configured in the form of at least one notch (8) in the blade (7).
A blade ejection/retraction mechanism, according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized by the lock releasing elements including lugs similar to cams (17, 18), formed in the striker plate (13) and able to be respectively associated with the blade springs (11).
A blade ejection/retraction mechanism, according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized by the tension element (18) being configured as a helical spring.
A blade ejection/retraction mechanism, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the blade (7) being provided as a key, particularly a door key or an ignition key for an automotive vehicle.
A blade ejection/retraction mechanism, characterized by being able to be built into a key box of an automotive vehicle to constitute a portable set of keys for a vehicle, optionally including other devices pertinent to the operation and/or the alarm system of a vehicle.
A key case, characterized by including a blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to one of the preceding claims.