GB2290648A - Token for freeing a key from a lock of a coin-operated latch - Google Patents

Abstract

A token 1 consists of a disc-shaped counter and comprises a surface 2 complete with high or low reliefs 4, 6 surrounded by a rim 5 and on which it is possible to arrange adhesives, pictures, embellishments, etc. with a colour or colours which contrast with each other in order to reproduce logos, monograms or any other advertising patterns or slogans. The token has at least one through orifice 7 which is designed to be traversed by an intermediate part, for example by a keyring clasp or ring, by a snap ring, etc., which widens its use and enables it to be arranged, if appropriate, as a key in addition to those which a conventional key holder accommodates on its key ring. <IMAGE>

Description

TOKEN FOR FREEING A KEY FROM A LOCK OF A COIN-OPERATED LATCH The invention relates to a token for freeinq a key from a lock of a coin-operated latch such as might be mounted on a self-service trolley.

A self-service trolley, for normal use in large or small concourses, for example airports and supermarkets, etc., can be linked to other similar units in order to form a row of trolleys joined to each other and to remain in predetermined places awaiting their use by the users. At the time of its use, it is necessary to separate one unit with respect to the remaining units of the row.

For such an application, this type of trolley has to be equipped with a blocking apparatus or also a coinoperated latch which enables one trolley to be fastened to the next one, in the row of trolleys. The link between two trolleys of the row is formed by introducing, into the lock of the coin-operated latch mounted on one of the trolleys, a key which is fixed to the end of a chain fastened to the previous trolley and whose grooves are inserted into the linking levers situated in the lock; until, with the insertion and subsequent holding of a token, for example of a coin, or a counter, etc., in the coin-operated latch, and in opposition to the key, it suffices to force the said key to come out of the lock and thus to achieve separation between two consecutive trolleys of a row.

These tokens for use in blocking apparatus are, usually, coins of legal tender and, on other occasions, counters or disc-shaped parts which fulfil the same purpose, including laminated structures of greater or lesser thickness configured to allow their insertion into the entry slot of the lock of these coin-operated latches. In the usual way, the abovementioned tokens have to be made from metal or plastic materials.

In order to separate one unit from a set of units of a self-service trolley at a given moment, it is therefore necessary for coins intended to be accepted in the coin-operated latch to be assumed to be available. The foregoing assumption does not always hold good, which on some occasions causes consequent inconvenience for the user in procuring the necessary coinage of the required value. Inconvenience is also caused to the business establishment, under such circumstances, given that the establishment has to have available the necessary change and people or machines which give out the said change, which causes an increase in the operating costs.

Assuming that disc-shaped parts or counters are used as unlocking elements, the drawback which arises is their small size, which causes not a few of them to be lost. One solution to this problem lies in the use of counter-holder elements, normally designed as keyholders, badges, clips, "pins", etc., which are almost always arranged easily to hand for the user, and allow access to convenient insertion or extraction of the counter in the counter-holder element for its safekeeping or, respectively, its use in the locks of the coin-operated latches, although the costs of the product are driven up significantly.

Moreover, the use of these counter-holder elements does not avoid the possible loss of the counter, given that it is necessary to extract it from the counter holder in order for it to be possible to insert it into the coin-operated latch and thus to be able to free one self-service trolley with respect to the row of trolleys.

That being so, the need arises for providing the user with a token for freeing a key from a lock of a coin-operated latch mounted on a self-service trolley, which token is configured as a disc-shaped part or counter, or designed in any other configuration which allows it to be inserted partially as well as completely into the groove provided for the purpose in any coinoperated latch; which is of a low cost price and thus results in a low selling price; which considerably reduces the level of losses which are caused by the use of existing tokens, and does so with the additional possibility that, on its surface e.g. in high or low reliefs, it allows incorporation of advertising patterns or marks which can be made contrasting.

Thus, the subject invention provides a token or counter consisting of a disc-shaped or polygonal part, having, on at least one of its faces, a surface surrounded by a peripheral border or rim, on which it is possible to arrange high or low reliefs, adhesives, pictures, embellishments, etc., with a colour or colours which may contrast with each other in order to reproduce logos, monograms or any other advertising patterns or slogans, this in order to advertise brands or the like, the invention being characterized by the fact that the said token or counter has at least one through orifice between the two faces of the latter, which is designed to be traversed by an intermediate part, for example by a keyring clasp or ring, by a snap ring, etc., which widens its use by enabling it to be arranged, if appropriate, as a key in addition to those which a conventional key-holder accommodates on its keyring.

Preferably, the invention establishes that the said orifice or through orifices, or at least one of the said through orifices, situated between the two faces of the token, is arranged very close to the outer periphery, preferably very near or adjacent to the peripheral rim.

The through orifice between the faces of the token is configured, according to preferred embodiments, as a circular or equivalent aperture. However, in certain embodiments, the through orifice between both faces of the token can be configured as an orifice with an elongate cross-section.

This configuration allows the metal plate from which the keyring clasp or ring is formed to have a larger crosssection, while, moreover, the said elongate orifice may be better concealed than the one with a circular cross-section or the like.

The orifice of the token or counter can be situated at any point on its surface. Nevertheless, when the orifice which passes through the counter is situated near the outer periphery, very close to the rim, the counter can be inserted into the groove provided for the purpose in the coin-operated latch apparatus without it being necessary to unfasten it from the keyring and, consequently, neither will it be necessary to extract it from the keyholder.

Nevertheless, some coin-operated latches are known on the market with a lock mechanism which requires a system of lateral insertion of the token or with an insertion system which requires the complete insertion of the token, which are different from the abovementioned one, which allows the frontal insertion of the said token. In such a case it is necessary to unfasten the token from the keyring clasp or from the keyholder which carries it so that it can be used.

For a better understanding of the explanation given above, the present description is accompanied by a set of drawings which, according to a preferred embodiment, show the token for freeing a key from a lock of a coin-operated latch mounted on a self-service trolley which constitutes the subject of the invention, without this being taken to mean that the graphical representation mentioned constitutes or may constitute a limitation of the specific characteristics of this application.

Figure 1 - shows the sectioned profile of a token with the orifice which passes through it.

Figure 2 - illustrates the profile of a token with a sectioned detail which shows the through orifice which is traversed by the keyring clasp.

Figure 3 - illustrates the profile of a token and the sectioned detail thereof which shows the through orifice which is traversed by the keyring clasp, although in this figure the orifice is displaced very close to the peripheral edge of the token.

Figure 4 - makes it possible to appreciate the shape of a circular through orifice, in a segment of a token, as well as the reduced width of the keyring clasp.

Figure 5 - makes it possible to appreciate the shape of anelongate through orifice, in a segment of a token, as well as the greater width of the keyring clasp.

Figure 6 - illustrates, in perspective, how a token is mounted onto a keyring clasp, and the way in which the latter has incorporated into a conventional keyholder.

Figure 7 - shows, in plan view, a coin-operated latch mounted on a self-service trolley, and a token inserted into the groove thereof.

Figure 8 - illustrates the example shown in the previous figure, although, on this occasion, the token has not been separated from the conventional keyholder represented in the sixth figure.

Figure 9 - makes it possible, by means of a simplified diagram, to appreciate the insertion of a token into the groove of a conventional coin-operated latch, showing that it is not necessary to extract the token from the keyring carried by the keyholder described in the sixth figure and, moreover, illustrating the way in which the key associated with a second coin-operated latch has been freed from the lock of a first coinoperated latch after the token has been inserted into the first coin-operated latch.

Looking at the first and second figures, the presence of the two faces, a front face (2) and another lower face (3) can easily be seen on the token (1), and, on at least one of the faces, are provided reliefs (4), a peripheral border (5) and infills (6). Connecting both faces (2) and (3) can be seen an orifice (7), through which passes the wire of a keyring clasp (8).

In the third to fifth figures it can be seen that the orifice (7) is very close to the peripheral border (5) or rim and, as the fourth figure shows, its shape may be circular, whereas, as the fifth figure shows, its shape may be oblong with the object of accepting greater thicknesses of the wires which constitute the keyring clasps (8).

In the sixth figure a conventional keyholder has been indicated at (9), in the form of a foldable wallet, in whose fitting (10), via its articulated terminal (11), the keyring clasps (8) carrying the tokens (1), by virtue of their attachment into the orifices (7), can be incorporated, in the same way as for conventional lock keys.

The diagrams shown in the seventh and eighth figures illustrate a token (1) inserted into the slot (13) of a coin-operated latch (12) mounted, for example, on an arm (14) of a self-service trolley. The first of the said diagrams, Figure 7, shows the token (1) inserted into the slot (13) of the coin-operated latch (12), although to do so it has been separated from the keyring clasp (8) carried, for example, by the keyholder (9). In contrast, in the eighth figure, it can be seen that the token (1) is inserted into the slot (13) of the coinoperated latch (12) without it having been necessary to extract it from the keyring clasp (8) associated with the keyholder (9) on which it is arranged.

Finally, as can be seen in the diagram of the ninth figure, a coin-operated latch (12) mounted, for example, on an arm (14) of a self-service trolley, makes it possible, via its slot (13), for a token (1) to be inserted, provided with an orifice (7) traversed by a keyring clasp (8) which is connected in an articulated way to the fitting (10) of the keyholder (9) by means of the terminal (11). With the insertion of the token (1) into the slot (13) of the coin-operated latch (12) the lock mechanism of the latter is opened, which releases the key (15') secured to the chain (16') of a second coin-operated latch (12') fitted to a second self-service trolley (not represented).

Claims (7)

1. A token for freeing a key from a lock of a coinoperated latch said token comprising a planar part having, on at least one of its faces, a surface with high or low reliefs surrounded by a peripheral rim which surface can be covered with materials which contrast with each other in order to advertise brands or the like, is characterized essentially by the fact that the said token, has at least one through orifice through both faces of the token, to be traversed by a keyring clasp portion, so as to enable it to be arranged, as a key in addition to those which a conventional keyholder accommodates.

2. A token for freeing a key from a lock of a coinoperated latch according to claim 1, wherein said at least one orifice, is arranged very close to the peripheral rim.

3. A token for freeing a key from a lock of a coinoperated latch according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least one orifice, is substantially circular.

4. A token for freeing a key from a lock of a coinoperated latch according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least one orifice, is an elongate orifice.

5. A token for freeing a key from a lock of a coinoperated latch, said token comprising a planar element pierced by at least one aperture, said token being securable to a holder by insertion of a securing element into said aperture.

6. A token according to claim 5, which is substantially circular.

7. A token substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.