EP1283315B1 - Key with articulated bit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an articulated bit key.

It applies in particular to a key for a motor vehicle intended for example to lock or unlock the opening of the vehicle, order an anti-theft device and a vehicle starter, etc.

We already know in the state of the art, especially according to FR-A-2 640 670, a key comprising: a body, and a bit comprising: an articulated end on the body, around an axis of pivoting linked to this body, so as to allow the movement of the bit between use and storage positions, and a free end of introduction into a lock corresponding, this free end having a generally elongated shape defining a longitudinal direction referred to as the longitudinal direction of the bit.

Usually, the body of the key forms a housing for electronic means of remote control of locking means opening of the vehicle. In addition, the body includes storage of the bit. The size of this dwelling is likely to to limit in some cases the space available for electronic means contained in the housing.

DE 19962975 is already known which discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The purpose of the invention is in particular to optimize the volume available for the electronic means contained in a box forming key body.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a key of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the pivot axis is inclined with respect to the direction longitudinal bit of the bit and in that the longitudinal direction of the bit in use position is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of pivoting by an angle between 1 ° and 5 °, preferably equal to 3 °.

• la direction longitudinale du panneton en position d'utilisation et l'axe de pivotement définissent un plan médian du corps ;
• la direction longitudinale du panneton en position de rangement et l'axe de pivotement définissent un plan incliné par rapport au plan médian du corps ;
• le corps comprend un boítier muni de première et seconde demi-coquilles comportant chacune un bord de liaison avec l'autre demi-coquille, les bords de liaison des deux demi-coquilles du boítier s'étendant sensiblement parallèlement à un plan de joint de ces deux demi-coquilles, la direction longitudinale du panneton en position d'utilisation étant sensiblement parallèle au plan de joint ;
• le corps a une forme générale prismatique aplatie, la direction longitudinale du panneton en position d'utilisation étant sensiblement parallèle aux deux plus grandes dimensions du corps ;
• le corps est délimité par deux surfaces opposées de dessus et de dessous reliées entre elles par deux surfaces opposées avant et arrière et deux surfaces opposées latérales, une des faces latérales comprenant un logement de rangement du panneton incliné d'avant en arrière, par rapport à la direction longitudinale du panneton en position d'utilisation ;
• le panneton a une forme générale de lame, l'extrémité libre du panneton étant pliée par rapport à l'extrémité articulée de ce panneton.

According to other characteristics of this key:

• the longitudinal direction of the bit in use position and the pivot axis define a median plane of the body;
• the longitudinal direction of the bit in storage position and the pivot axis define a plane inclined relative to the median plane of the body;
• the body comprises a housing provided with first and second half-shells each having a connecting edge with the other half-shell, the connecting edges of the two half-shells of the housing extending substantially parallel to a joint plane of these two half-shells, the longitudinal direction of the bit in use position being substantially parallel to the joint plane;
• the body has a generally flattened prismatic shape, the longitudinal direction of the blade in the position of use being substantially parallel to the two largest dimensions of the body;
• the body is delimited by two opposite surfaces of above and below interconnected by two opposite front and rear surfaces and two opposite lateral surfaces, one of the lateral faces comprising a storage housing of the bit inclined back and forth, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the blade in the position of use;
• the bit has a general blade shape, the free end of the bit being folded relative to the articulated end of this bit.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une clé selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, le panneton étant en position d'utilisation ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la clé représentée sur la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de coté de la clé représentée sur la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 dans laquelle le panneton est en position de rangement ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective avec une coupe suivant un plan sensiblement parallèle à l'extrémité d'introduction du panneton de la clé représentée dans la configuration de la figure 4 ;
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues en perspective de la clé représentée sur la figure 1 avec une coupe partielle suivant un plan sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de pivotement du panneton, un levier de commande du panneton étant respectivement dans une position de repos permettant la retenue de ce panneton en position de rangement et une position de libération de ce panneton ;
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 dans laquelle le panneton est une position intermédiaire entre ses position d'utilisation de rangement ;
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle en perspective, en partie éclatée, d'une clé selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 10 à 13 sont des vues en perspective de la clé représentée sur la figure 9 avec des coupes suivant divers plans sensiblement parallèles à l'axe de pivotement du panneton.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a key according to a first embodiment of the invention, the bit being in the use position;
• Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the key shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a side view of the key shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 in which the bit is in the storage position;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view with a section along a plane substantially parallel to the insertion end of the bit of the key shown in the configuration of Figure 4;
• Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of the key shown in Figure 1 with a partial section in a plane substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the bit, a control lever of the bit being respectively in a rest position allowing the retention of this bit in the storage position and a release position of this bit;
• Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 wherein the bit is an intermediate position between its storage use position;
• Figure 9 is a partial perspective view, partly broken away, of a key according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 10 to 13 are perspective views of the key shown in Figure 9 with sections in various planes substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the bit.

FIGS. 1 to 8 show a key according to a first mode of embodiment of the invention, designated by the general reference 20. This key 20 is intended, for example, to lock or unlock the opening of a vehicle automobile, order a theft and a starter of this vehicle, etc.

The key 20 comprises a body 22, for example of generally prismatic shape flattened, and a bit 24, also called insert, having in particular a general shape of blade.

Referring in particular to Figure 2, we see that the body 22 comprises a housing 26 having first 26A and second 26B half-shells. Each half-shell 26A, 26B comprises a connecting edge J1, J2 with the other half-shell.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the connecting edges J1, J2 of the two half-shells 26A, 26B extend substantially parallel to a joint plane J of these two half-shells.

The housing 26 forms a housing for electronic means 28 intended, for example, to remote control means for locking the opening of the vehicle. The electronic means 28 are controlled using conventional buttons B1 to B3 worn by the second half-shell 26B.

The bit 24 has an end 24A articulated on the first half-shell 26A, and a free end 24B of introduction into a conventional lock corresponding, not shown.

The articulated end 24A of the bit is movably mounted on the body 22 around a pivot axis X (see in particular Figure 3) connected to this body 22, so as to allow the bit 24 to move between a position of use, such as shown in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a storage position, such as represented in particular in FIGS. 4 to 7.

In FIG. 3, the bit 24 is represented, in solid lines, in position of use and, in phantom, in storage position. In this figure 3, we see that the free end 24B of the bit has a generally elongated shape defining a direction longitudinal said longitudinal direction of the LP bit.

The free end 24B of the bit is folded relative to the articulated end 24A of this bit, so that the pivot axis X is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction LP of the bit, whether this bit is in the position of use or storage.

More particularly, it will be noted that the longitudinal direction LP of the bit 24 in the use position is substantially parallel to the joint plane J and the two plus Large dimensions of the body 22 prismatic flattened.

Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the longitudinal direction LP of the 24 in the position of use and the pivot axis X define a median plane MS of body 22 of key.

Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the longitudinal direction LP of the bit 24 in storage position and the pivoting axis X define an inclined plane PI relative to the median plane PM.

According to the invention, the longitudinal direction LP of the bit 24 in position of use is inclined with respect to a plane P perpendicular to the axis X of pivoting an angle between 1 and 5 °, preferably equal to 3 °.

The housing 26 is delimited by two opposite surfaces of above H and below B interconnected by two opposing surfaces before AV and rear AR and two opposite side surfaces LG, LD. One of the lateral faces, for example the lateral face LD, comprises a housing 30 for storing the bit 24. This housing 30 is inclined from front to back, with respect to the longitudinal direction LP of the bit 24 in position of use, thus taking into account the inclination of the pivot axis X of the bit.

The inclination of the storage slot 30 optimizes the volume inside housing 26 available for electronic means 28.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the pivot axis X is materialized by a member of general shape of revolution forming a pivot 32. This pivot 32 comprises a first portion 32A rotatably mounted in an orifice complementary 34 formed in the first half-shell 26A, and a second part 32B nested in a complementary hole 36 formed in the articulated end 24A of the bit. The bit 24 is secured in rotation (around the X axis) with the second part 32B of the pivot by cooperation of complementary forms arranged in the hole 36 of the bit and the second portion 32B of the pivot.

The bit 24 is elastically biased towards its position of use by a spring 38 angular effect, housed inside the pivot 32, bearing on the housing 26 and this pivot 32.

The key 20 comprises releasable means for retaining the bit 24 in storage position comprising a control lever 40 movably mounted around a hinge pin Y intended to be connected to the housing 26.

The control lever 40 is movable between a rest position allowing in particular the retention of the bit 24 in the storage position, such as represented in FIGS. 4 to 6, and a release position of this bit 24, such as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Preferably, the control lever 40 is of the first kind. So, the lever 40 has an operating end 40A, forming a button, and an end 40B of cooperation with the bit 24. The axis Y articulation of the lever 40 is interposed between its 40A operating and 40B cooperation ends.

The control lever 40 is resiliently returned to the rest position at means of a compression spring 42, housed in a blind hole 44 formed in the first half-shell 26A, bearing between the bottom of this hole 44 and the end of 40A maneuvering the lever.

The axis Y of articulation of the control lever 40 is materialized by two trunnions 46, integral with the lever 40, fitted into two slide rails 48 forming flanges. These slides 48 are formed in the first half-shell 26A so as to extend substantially parallel to a direction known as the longitudinal direction of LG slides. The shapes of the trunnions 46 and slides 48 will be described more in detail thereafter on the occasion of the second embodiment of the invention.

The journals 46 are immobilized longitudinally in the slides 48, after interlocking these pins 46 in these slides 48, for example with the aid of complementary means of interlocking 50, 52, formed on one end of the pivot 32 and on the control lever 40. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that these interlocking means 50, 52 form a ball joint. The direction of interlocking complementary means 50, 52 is approximately transverse to the longitudinal direction LG slides.

When mounting the key 20, the pins 46 of the lever 40 in the corresponding slides 48, then immobilize longitudinally lever 40 in the slides 48 by pressing the pivot 32 into the hole 34 of the half-shell 26A and in the hole 36 of the bit 24 so as to fit the complementary means 50, 52 formed on the ball 32 and the control lever 40.

The key aspects of key operation will be specified below. Related to the invention.

Initially, the bit 24 of the key is in its storage position, such as shown in Figures 4 to 6. The control lever 40 is in the rest position. The end 40B of the control lever cooperates with the bit 24, plus particularly with the articulated end 24A of this bit (see Figure 5), so as to retain the bit 24 in the storage position, against the restoring force of the spring 38 with angular effect.

To place the bit 24 in the position of use, the user presses the operating end 40A of the control lever so as to oppose the force of recall of the spring 42. This has the effect of clearing the end 40B of the control lever relative to the bit 24, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. bit 24 then moves automatically, under the spring return effect 38, to its position of use, as shown in Figure 1. In this position, the longitudinal direction LP of the bit 24 is substantially parallel to the two more large dimensions of the flattened prismatic body 22.

To replace the bit 24 in the storage position, the user presses again on the operating end 40A of the control lever, so as to clear the trajectory of the bit 24, then moves this bit 24 to its storage position opposing the restoring force of the spring 38.

When the bit 24 reaches its storage position, the lever of command 40 automatically returns to the rest position under the effect of recall of the spring 42.

The engagement end 40B of the control lever may comprise ramps intended to cooperate with the bit 24 to cause a retraction automatic lever 40 when the bit 24 is returned from its position of use to its storage position.

FIGS. 9 to 13 show a key according to a second mode of embodiment of the invention. In these figures, elements similar to those of FIGS. 1 to 8 are designated by identical references.

In this case, the control lever 40 articulated on the first half-shell 26A, is flush with the outer surface of second half-shell 26B, carrying the buttons control B1 to B3, so that, in the rest position, the control lever 40 extends the second half-shell 26B.

Referring in particular to Figures 12 and 13, we see that each slide 48 is delimited by two opposite longitudinal faces F1, F2. Each pin 46 has a polygonal cross-section delimited by at least two pairs of sides consecutive C1, C2 (two sides of a polygon are called consecutive when they have a common summit). The two sides C1, C2 of the same pair respectively form two abutments of cooperation with a corresponding longitudinal face F1, F2 of the slide 48 to define, on the one hand, the rest position of the lever 40, such that 12, and on the other hand, the release position of the lever 40, as shown in FIG. shown in Figure 13.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the means of longitudinal immobilization (in the direction LG) of the journals 46 include, for each slide 48, a stop 54 of end of race fitting of the spigot 46 corresponding in the slide. Alternatively, the limit stop 54 could be only on one slide 48.

The means for longitudinally immobilizing the journals 46 comprise plus a catch 56 immobilizing at least one pin 46 against the stop corresponding 54 end of race interlocking. This cleat 56, shown on the Figures 9 and 11 is secured to the second half-shell 26B housing. The pin 46 is inserted longitudinally (in the direction LG) between the stop 54 and the catch 56.

When mounting the key 20, the pins 46 of the control lever are first nested in the slides 48 formed in the first half-shell 26A. Then, the second half-shell 26B is fixed on the first half-shell 26A, of to place the latch 56 in its immobilization position of the pin 46 corresponding, as shown in Figure 11.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the bit 24 is similar to that of the first embodiment, the pivot 32 embodying an axis X orientation identical to that described in the first embodiment of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. Key of the type including a body (22) and a key-bit (24) of which one end (24A) is articulated on the body, being able to rotate about a pivot axis (X) linked to this body (22) so as to enable movement of the key-bit (24) between usage and storage positions, and of which a free end (24B) is intended to be introduced in a corresponding lock, this introduction end (24B) having a substantially elongated shape defining a longitudinal direction (LP) referred to as the longitudinal direction of the key-bit,
   wherein said pivot axis (X) is inclined relative to said longitudinal direction (LP) of said key-bit and wherein said longitudinal direction (LP) of said key-bit in its usage position is inclined relative to a plane (P) perpendicular to said pivot axis (X) at an angle between 1° and 5°, preferably equal to 3°.
2. Key according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal direction (LP) of said key-bit (24) in usage position and said pivot axis (X) define a median plane (PM) of said body (22).
3. Key according to claim 2, wherein said longitudinal direction (LP) of said key-bit (24) in its storage position and said pivot axis (X) define a plane (PI) inclined relative to said median plane (PM) of said body.
4. Key according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said body (22) comprises a shell (26) formed from a first (26A) and a second (26B) half-shell each having an edge (J1, J2) that joins with that of the other half-shell, said joining edges (J1, J2) of said two half-shells (26A, 26B) of said shell extending substantially parallel to a joining plane (J) of these two half-shells, said longitudinal direction (LP) of said key-bit (24) in usage position being substantially parallel to the joining plane (J).
5. Key according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said body (22) has a substantially flattened prismatic shape, said longitudinal direction (LP) of said key-bit (24) in usage position being substantially parallel to the two larger dimensions of said body (22).
6. Key according to claim 5, wherein said body (22) is delimited by two opposite surfaces, one above (H) and one below (B), joined to each other by two opposite end surfaces, one at the front (AV) and one at the rear (AR), and by two opposite lateral surfaces (LG, LD), one of the lateral faces (LD) incorporating a storage recess (30) for said key-bit (24) inclined from front to rear relative to said longitudinal direction (LP) of said key-bit (24) in usage position.
7. Key according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said key-bit (24) is substantially blade-shaped, its said free end (24B) being bent relative to its said articulated end (24A).
8. Key according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said free end (24B) of said key-bit (24) is bent relative to said articulated end (24A) of this key-bit (24).
9. Key according to claim 6, wherein said storage recess (30) is inclined from the front to the rear relative to said longitudinal direction (LP) of said key-bit (24) in usage position, thereby taking account of the inclination of said pivot axis (X) of said key-bit (24).

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