GB2047666A

GB2047666A - Key deposit apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2047666A
Application number: GB7915358A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FOX THOMAS CO Ltd
Current assignee: FOX THOMAS CO Ltd
Priority date: 1979-05-03
Filing date: 1979-05-03
Publication date: 1980-12-03
Also published as: GB2047666B

Abstract

Key deposit apparatus (2) comprises a key receiving conduit (8), a key delivery conduit (28) which does not form a continuous path with the key receiving conduit (8), key transfer means (26) which is for transferring a key from the key receiving conduit (8) to the key delivery conduit (28), and at least one time lock (14, 16) having obturator means (18) for blocking the key receiving conduit (8) or the key delivery conduit (28) for a predetermined time period. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Key deposit apparatus This invention relates to key deposit apparatus.

In banks, post offices and similar secure buildings, it is desirable to have apparatus which can receive one or more keys for the bank, post office or the similar building and which will retain the key or keys until a predetermined time whereupon the key deposit apparatus will deliver the key or keys. Such apparatus will avoid the need for personnel to carry the key or keys and it is an aim of the present invention to provide such apparatus.

Accordingly, this invention provides key deposit apparatus comprising a key receiving conduit, a key delivery conduit which does not form a continuous path with the key receiving conduit, key transfer means which is for transfering a key from the key receiving conduit to the key delivery conduit, and at least one time lock having obturator means for blocking the key receiving conduit or the key delivery conduit for a predetermined time period.

Preferably, the key receiving conduit has first and second sections which extend in generally opposite directions. This makes it more difficult for potential safe breakers to gain access to the interior of the key deposit apparatus with, for example, flexible drive apparatus.

Preferably, the or each time lock will be associated with the key receiving conduit and, in this case, the key delivery conduit may be a substantially straight tube if desired.

The key transfer means may comprise a pivotable tube which is gravity biased to a position adjacent an end of the key receiving conduit, and which is operable on receipt of a key from the key receiving conduit to pivot and transfer the key to the key delivery conduit. The key receiving conduit is advantageously positioned above the key delivery conduit wherebythe keytravels through the key deposit apparatus entirely due to gravity.

Preferably, there are two time locks which are each adapted to operate a single said obturator means.

Thus, in the event of one of the time locks becoming defective, the other time lock will be effective to operate the obturator means at the predetermined time. Such time locks are well known and they are manufactured by the firm of Soncebonz of Sonceboz, Switzerland.

The key deposit apparatus of the invention may include key receiving means for receiving a key and supplyign it to the key receiving conduit.

The key deposit apparatus may be used to receive one or more keys and the key or keys are advantageously deposited in a key holding capsule. The capsule can be arranged to slide easily through the key deposit apparatus.

The key deposit apparatus may also include a key delivery receptacle for receiving the key from the key delivery conduit. The key delivery receptacle may be atray.

The key deposit apparatus may be manufactured from various materials, usually metals. The key receiving conduit and the key delivery conduit will usually be of circular cross section. The key deposit apparatus can be installed in various locations but it will usually be desirable to install it in the wall of a safe or a strong room so that the safe or the strong room prevents unauthorised access to the key deposit apparatus and a key or keys in the key deposit apparatus will only be delivered at the time set on the or each time lock.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows key deposit apparatus 2 installed on a side wall 4 and a front wall 6 of a strong room. The key deposit apparatus 2 comprises a key receiving conduit 8 having a first section 10 and a second section 12. The sections 10, 12 extend in generally opposite directions as is illustrated in the drawing thus making it difficult for a safe breaker to insert flexible drive apparatus along the key receiving conduit 8.

The key receiving conduit 8 is provided with a pair of time locks 14,16 which are effective to cause an obturator 18 to block the second section 12 of the key receiving conduit 8 for the duration of the time set on clock faces 20 of the time locks 14,16. This time is set on the clock faces 20 by means of a key which fits over the square shaft 22 of each time lock 14, 16. The time locks 14, 16 are both effective to operate the obturator 18 so that, in the event of one time lock 14, 16 becoming defective, then the other time lock 14,16 will still operate the obturator 18 to withdraw it from its position in the second section 12 of the key receiving conduit 8 when the appropriate time period has elapsed and it is desired to allow a key or keys, for example resting in a key holding capsule 14, to pass entirely through the second section 12.

The key deposit apparatus 2 further comprises key transfer means 26 and a key delivery conduit 28. The key transfer means 26 comprises a tube 30 which pivots about a pivot 32 and which is balanced by an adjustable weight 34 so that the tube 30 is normally constrained by gravity to remain in the position illustrated in the drawing in which the mouth 36 of the tube 30 is adjacent the end 38 of the key receiving conduit 8. Thus, as the capsule 24 passes through the second section 12, it enters the tube 30 and the weight of the capsule 24 upsets the balance of the key transfer means 26 and causes the tube 30 to pivot about the pivot 32. The pivoting occurs anti-clockwise and the mouth 36 of the tube 30 becomes aligned with the end 40 of the key delivery conduit 28.Since the tube 30 is higher than the key delivery conduit 28, the capsule 24 slides out of the tube 30 and along the straight key delivery conduit 28. The capsule 24 can thus slide through the front wall 6 of the strong room and onto the floor or into a key delivery receptacle in the form of a tray 42.

The key deposit apparatus 2 includes key receiving means 44 for receiving the capsule 24 (or a loose key or keys) and for supplying it to the key receiving conduit 8.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the drawing has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for exam ple a different method of biasing the transfer means 26 other than by the adjustable weight may be employed. Also, the shape of the key receiving conduit 8 and the key delivery conduit 28 can be varied as desired. Further, the key deposit apparatus 2 can be mounted in a safe instead of a strong room.

Also, two sets of the apparatus 2 could be employed for the purpose of delivering different keys at different times.

Claims

1. Key deposit apparatus comprising a key receiving conduit, a key delivery conduit which does not form a continuous path with the key receiving conduit, key transfer means which is for transfering a key from the key receiving conduit to the key delivery conduit, and at least one time lock having obturator means for blocking the key receiving conduit or the key delivery conduit for a predetermined time period.

2. Key deposit apparatus according to claim 1 in which the key receiving conduit has first and second sections which extend in generally opposite directions.

3. Key deposit apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the or each time lock is associated with the key receiving conduit.

4. Key deposit apparatus according to claim 3 in which the key delivery conduit is a substantially straight tube.

5. Key deposit apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the key transfer means comprises a pivotable tube which is gravity biased to a position adjacent an end of the key receiving conduit, and which is operable on receipt of a key from the key receiving conduit to pivot and transfer the key to the key delivery conduit.

6. Key deposit apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the key receiving conduit is positioned above the key delivery conduit whereby the key travels through the key deposit apparatus entirely due to gravity,

7. Key deposit apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which there are two time locks which are each adapted to operate a single said obturator means.

8. Key deposit apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including key receiving means for receiving a key and supplying it to the key receiving conduit.

9. Key deposit apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including a key delivery receptacle for receiving the key from the key delivery conduit.

10. Key deposit apparatus according to claim 9 in which the key delivery receptacle is a tray.

11. Key deposit apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.