GB2290578A

GB2290578A - Switch arrangement for keys or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2290578A
Application number: GB9412744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Desmond Barr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-24
Filing date: 1994-06-24
Publication date: 1996-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-24
Also published as: GB2290578B; GB9412744D0

Abstract

A switch arrangement placed on a key or similar hand-turned object is activated during the act of rotating the key by hand (figure 2) - the arrangement shown has two switches X, Y, which are simultaneously compressed when the key is used. The arrangement can be connected to an alarm circuit contained within the key to give a warning that the key has been turned in order to remind the user to remove the key from the lock. <IMAGE>

Description

This invention relates to a dual pressure switch.

There is always a risk of leaving a key in a lock and locking the door, especially in a car. Most car doors can be closed and locked without needing to use the key and although advanced features such as a remote controlled alarm coupled to central locking will prevent this problem, due to expense it is unlikely that this will ever be universally available. At the present time most insurance companies have altered policies such that they will not pay claims for damage or theft of vehicles if the key is left in the car. In view of this it would be useful to have a key which gives off an alarm when the ignition is switched off It would be more adaptable to have the alarm switch on the key itself rather than related to the lock.

The present invention relates to dual pressure switch which can be incorporated into an object , such as the handle of a key, and will be activated by the mechanism of rotating the object by hand causing closure of both switches and completing an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit can be connected to an alarm system which would then give warning that the object had been turned, and for instance, giving a reminder that a key should be removed from the lock.

The description of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows the insert switches X and Z on the key with placement site one on each side of the handle.

Arrows A and B indicate the direction of applied pressure when the key is turned.

Figure 2 illustrates the compression of the dual switches being activated by rotation of the key.

Figure 3 illustrates that a microcircuit incorporating an alarm could be connected to the switch arrangement and placed within the key handle.

Figure 4 shows that the switch arrangement and alarm circuit can be contained within a case which could fit over existing keys.

The invention consists of a standard key consisting of a metal shaft and handle usually made of plastic containing pressure switches strategically placed ( X and Z of figure 1), so that activation only occurs on rotation by hand when pressure is applied in the direction of A and B of figure 1, with both switches being pressed simultaneously (figure 2). Within the casing there are springs on the inner aspect of the contact switches to return them to the inactive position. The switches are in continuity with an electrical circuit involving a power cell and alarm buzzer of sufficient minitude to be incorporated into the key handle . The related electronic circuit could be further enhanced by microelectronics which could allow the alarm to be activated for a set time such as 1 to 10 minutes after rotating the key ( figure 3).

In this case the act of turning the key is illustrated for a key turning in an anticlockwise direction, but the opposite arrangement could be used so that activation occurs on clockwise rotation.

Although this description relates to a dual switch alternatively a single switch could be used and placed in one of the positions described above in the key handle allowing activation on rotation of the handle. However with this arrangement false activation while carrying the key would be more likely.

The mechanism could be adapted to a case which could be fitted over existing key handles (figure 4) Similarly this device could be used for other keys such as house keys, which if accidentally left in the lock on the outside of the door would be hazardous to security Furthermore the switch could be adapted to objects other than keys that are rotated by hand for example being incorporated into the knob of a conventional mechanical rotational switch

Claims

claims 1. A switch on an object which is activated by the act of rotating the object, independent of the function of the object and which can be connected to an electronic circuit.
2. A switch as claimed in claim 1 which is a dual or single pressure switch.
3. A switch as claimed in claims 1 and 2 which is a dual pressure switch requiring simultaneous compression of the component switches for activation and electronic circuit completion.
4. A switch as claimed in claims 1 to 3 which is activated by finger pressure during the act of rotating the object.
5. A switch as claimed in the preceding claims where the object it is related to is a key.
6. A switch as claimed in claims 1 to 5 with any alarm system connected directly or indirectly to the switch.
7. A switch as claimed in claims 1 to 5 with any electronic circuit connected to the switch.
8. A switch substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.