GB2417414A - A key holder with a key projectable therefrom - Google Patents

Abstract

A key holder 1 comprises a body 2 with the key projectable 3 therefrom, a removable cover 4 for enclosing the key and a light source 5 to illuminate the region forward of the projected key. The light source may be activated by the removal of the cover, and may comprise a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) disposed around the key. The key may be projectable by a solenoid 27. The key holder may form a unit in combination with a support (figure 2, not shown), the cover being automatically removed by detaching the key holder from the support. The key holder is particularly suited to emergency use since the light source can be used to illuminate a safe escape route as well as the keyhole for which the key is intended.

Description

2417414

KEY AND KEY MOLDER UNIT FOR EMERGENCY USE

This invention relates to a key and key holder unit for emergency use.

According to the invention, a key and key holder unit for emergency use comprises a portable hand-held body with the key protectable therefrom, a removable cover for enclosing the key, and light means for illuminating the region forward of the projected key.

Preferably, the light means are operable automatically by removal of the cover.

The invention also comprises the combination of the key and key holder unit and a support for the same, whereby the cover is automatically removed by detaching the unit from the support.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of perspective of the key and key holder, unit, Figure 2 is a side view in perspective of the key and key holder unit, mounted on a support, Figure 3 to 6 are views in perspective, illustrating how the key is mounted in the key holder body.

Figure 7 is a circuit illustrating schematically how the light-emitting diodes are brought into operation.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit, Figure 9 is a front view of the key holder, Figure 10 is a fragmentary front view of the key holder, to an enlarged scale, and Figure 11 illustrates, schematically, a modification, s With reference to Figures 1 to 6, a key and key holder unit 1 comprises a portable hand- held body 2 of elongated cylindrical form, with the key 3 projecting therefrom, at one end of the body 2. A removable cover 4 is carried by the key end of the body 2 so as to enclose the key 3. With reference to Figures 8, 9 and 10, the unit 1 is also provided with light means 5, comprising a peripheral ring of light emitting diodes 7, operable by spring-loaded micro switches 8. The light emitting diodes 7 of the light means 5 are disposed in a ring around the key so as to illuminate the region forward of the projecting key 3 and are caused to operate automatically by removal of the cover 4 from the body 2.

The key 3 of the unit 1 is a "YALE" (Registered Trade Mark) key. The cover 4 is a push fit over the micro-switches 8 so that they are rendered inoperative. The micro switches 8, which are disposed in a peripheral ring around the key end of the body 2, (see Figure 10) are spring-loaded so that when the cover 4 is removed, the micro switches are released whereby they become operative and cause the light emitting diodes 7 to be energised. The spring loading of switches 8 is represented by arrow 9. The circuit of Figure 8 includes a battery source 22. The circuit illustrates is schematic only.

In practice, the battery source 22 is used to power all of the LED illuminates 7 and a switch 8 is provided for each LED 7.

As best seem in Figure 6, the body 2 is hollow. The key end of the body is closed except for a slot 10 through which the key 3 projects. The opposite end of the body 2 is closed by a plug 11 having a screw-threaded extension 12 which is located by a screw threat forward in the said opposite end.

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e e e e The key 3 is located by a wedge-shaped block 13 formed with a circular recess 14 and a peg 15 projecting upwardly therefrom. The peg 15 and recess 14 combine to locate the circular flat 16 and hole 17 of the key 3.

The block 13 is closed by a wedge-shaped cover 18 having a hole 19 for locating the peg of block 13. The blocks 13, 18, which may be of magnetic material, so that they adhere firmly together, combine also as to form an integral support 20 (Figure 6) for the key 3.

Figure 11 illustrates schematically how a key 3 can be projected from the end of body 2. The key is mounted on a carrier 25 slideably located by the body 2. The carrier 25 forms the core of a solenoid unit 26, which has a solenoid coil 27 wound around the carrier 25. A thumb-operated switch 28 operates the solenoid unit 27, so as to cause the key 3 to be projected from, the body 2, when required. The carrier 25 is spring loaded against projection, by a compression spring 29.

In a non-illustrated modification, a group of at least two keys 3 and respective solenoid units 27 is provided, disposed in pairs, arranged side by side.

The arrangement of Figures 11 is intended to use the circuit of Figure 8, whereby removal of the cover 4 caused the LED's 7 to be energised. The switch 28 is a separate manually operated switch. Current is drawn from the battery source 22 as before.

Figure 2 shows the key and key holder unit 1 of Figure 1, ready for use. The unit is supported by wall-mounted bracket 30 having an aperture formed therein. The aperture is sized so as to closely locate the body 2 of the unit 1 whereby the lower edge of the cover 4 rests on the upper surface of the bracket 30.

To release the unit 1, it is pulled down, whereby contact between the cover 4 and bracket 30 causes automatic removal of the cover from the unit. With the cover 4 removed, the spring loaded switches 8 (Figure 8) are free to close, so that electrical energy from the battery source 22 flows to energise the LED's 7.

ee tee e e e ëe e .e .e e e e e e..e The light source 5 is used to illuminate a safe escape route, as well as the key hole for which the key 3 is intended.

Claims (12)

1. A key and key holder unit for emergency use, comprises a portable handheld body with the key protectable therefrom, a removable cover for enclosing the key, and light means for illuminating the region forward of the projected key.

2. A key and key holder unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the light means are operable automatically, by removal of the cover.

3. A key and key holder unit as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the light means are operable by switch means rendered inoperative by the presence of the cover on the unit.

4. A key and key holder unit as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the switch means comprise spring-loaded switches rendered inoperative by presence of the cover of the unit.

5. A key and key holder unit as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the switches are disposed in a peripheral ring extending around the hand held body, of the unit.

6. A key and key holder unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the light means comprise LED's.

7. A key and key holder unit as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the light means are disposed around the key.

8. A key and key holder unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the key is protectable from the body by solenoid means.

9. A key and key holder unit in combination with a support for the same whereby the cover is automatically removed by detaching the unit from the support. s

10. A key and key holder unit, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A key and key holder unit as claimed is Claim 10, modified substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.

12. The combination of a key and key holder unit, and a support therefore, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

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12. The combination of a key and key holder unit, and a support therefore, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

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e e e e e eve e e en see e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e ee ëe Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A key and key holder unit for emergency use, comprises a portable hand- held body with the key projectable therefrom, a removable cover for enclosing the key, and light means for illuminating the region forward of the projected key.

2. A key and key holder unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the light means are operable automatically, by removal of the cover.

3. A key and key holder unit as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the light means are operable by switch means rendered inoperative by the presence of the cover on the unit.

4. A key and key holder unit as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the switch means comprise spring-loaded switches rendered inoperative by presence of the cover of the unit.

5. A key and key holder unit as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the switches are disposed in a peripheral ring extending around the hand held body, of the unit.

6. A key and key holder unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the light means comprise LED's.

7. A key and key holder unit as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the light means are disposed around the key.

8. A key and key holder unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the key is projectable from the body by solenoid means.

9. A key and key holder unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, in combination with a support for said key and the key holder unit, whereby the cover is automatically removed by detaching the unit from the support.

10. A key and key holder unit, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A key and key holder unit as claimed is Claim 10, modified substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.