GB2524988A

GB2524988A - Replacement head for a key

Info

Publication number: GB2524988A
Application number: GB1406324.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tien-Kao Liu
Original assignee: Federal Lock Co Ltd
Current assignee: Federal Lock Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-07
Filing date: 2014-04-07
Publication date: 2015-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-07
Also published as: GB201406324D0; GB2524988B

Abstract

A replaceable head for a key comprises a head having a body 11 which has a slot 111 and a passage 112 that communicates with the slot, a top member 12 having two arms 122 extending therefrom and an opening 123 defined between the two arms, the two arms each having a notch 125 defined in an outer side thereof, and two index members 13, 14 located on two sides of the body and connected to each other via the slot of the head, one of the two index members having a connection portion 141 located corresponding to one of the notches and the other index member having a connection member 131 connected to the connection portion. The replaceable head is preferably connected with a key 2 having at least one connection portion 21 engaged with the opening of the top member and with at least one protrusion 124 located on an arm of the top member.

Description

REPLACEABLE HEAD FOR A KEY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Fields of the invention

The present invention relates to a key head, and more particularly, to a replaceable key head so as to be cooperated with different keys.

2. Descriptions of Related Art

European Patent Application No. 1338732A1 discloses a customizable key blank and comprises a custom-made key with a head and a shank, wherein the head has a hole and two recesses are defined in two sides of the head so as to receive index members therein. The recesses are used to be cooperated with a cover which has two fixing members and the fixing members extend through the hole so as to be connected to each other and to secure the index members, European Patent Application No. 1550782A1 discloses a repLaceable head for a key and the head has a slot through which the key is inserted. A hole is defined through the central portion of the head and the key has two protrusions on the top thereof and each protrusion has a semi-circular area which is located in the slot and corresponding to the hole. A fixing member extends through the hole and connects the head and the key.

European Patent Applicalion No. 266041 1A2 discloses a key bow cover and comprises a key which has a hole, and two covers each having a fixing unit. The fixing unit can be a hole or a latch, The covers are connected to each other by connecting the fixing units via the hole.

PCI 2007/039898A2 discloses a key and adapter [or a key, wherein the key has a head and a shank, the head has a hole. Two index members each have an engaging hole and an engaging protrusion so that the two index members are connected to the hole of the head by engaging the corresponding engaging holes and protrusions. The index members each have a convex portion, when unlocking a ock, the user rotates the key to change the relative position between the index members, and the convex portions are shifted to acknowledge the user that the Lock is unlocked or not.

The shank and the head of the keys mentioned above are made by metal and are integral to each other so that the keys do not have too much change on their color and shape. The head is integral to the shank so that the notches formed in the shank cannot be changed for a key which can o]lly be used with a designated lock. In one cases, the key has two protrusions on the top thereof and each protrusion has a semi-circular area which is located in the slot and corresponding to the hole. A fixing member extends through the hole and connects the head and the key.

However, the shank and the protrusions are formed integrally, and this restricts the range of use and increases manufacturing cost.

The present invention intends to provide a replaceable head for a key so as to improve the shortcomings mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a replaceable head for a key, and comprises a head having a body which has a slot and a passage which communicates with the slot. A top member is connected to the top of the body and has two arms extending therefrom. An opening is defined between the two arms. The two arms each have a notch defined in the outer side thcreof Two index members are located on two sides of the body and connected to each other via the slot of the head. One of the index members has a connection portion located corresponding to the notch. The other index member has a connection member which is connected to the connection portion.

Prelèrably, the head is connected with a key which has at least one connection portion. The at least one connection portion is engaged with the opening of the top member.

Preferably, the top member has a hanging hole.

Preferably, the key has at least one recess and at least one groove defined in the outer surface thereof At least one magnetic member is located in the at least one recess. The number of the at least one magnetic member is not greater than that of the at least one recess.

Preferably, the key has at least one recess and at least one magnetic member formed in the outer surface thereof The at least one magnetic member is located in the at least one recess. The number of the at least one magnetic member is not greater than that of the at least one recess.

Preferably, the key has at least one groove defined in the outer surface thereof.

Preferably, the index members each have a planar or stereoscopic description portion formed on the outer surface thereof Preferably, the top member, the body and the index members have different colors and shapes.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable head for a key, wherein the body, the top member and the index members are easily connected to each other and to be connected with a key. The index members display information of the key. The top member, the body and the index members have different colors and shapes.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when talcen in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. I is an exploded view of a key and the replaceable head of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view to show the key connected with the replaceable head of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows the connection steps for connecting the key to the replaceable head of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the key connected with the replaceable head of the present invention; Fig. S is a perspective view to show that another key is connected with the replaceable head of the present invention, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view to show that another yet another key is connected with the replaceable head of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

ReLerring to Figs. I to 4, the replaceable head of the present invention comprises a head 1 which has a body 11, and the body 11 has a slot lii defined in the top thereof, and a passage 112 is defined transversely through the body 11. The passage 11 2communicates with the slot 111.

A top member 12 is connected to the top of the body 11 arid has two arms 122 extending therefrom. An opening 123 is defined between the two arms 122. The two arms 122 each have a protrusion 124 extending from the inner side thereof, and a notch 125 defined in the outer side thereof Two index members 13, 14 are located on two sides of the body 11 and connected to each other via the slot 111 of the head 1. The index member 13 has a connection portion 131 which is located corresponding to the notch 125. The other index member 14 has a connection member 141 which is connected to the connection portion 131. In this embodiment, the connection portion 131 is a rod and the connection member 141 is a reception tubular member. The index members 13, 14 each have a connection portion 13 1 and a connection member 141. The index members 13, 14 each have a planar or stereoscopic description portion 15 formed on the outer surface thereof The head I is connected with a key 2 which has at least one connection portion 21, wherein the at least one connection portion 21 is engaged with the opening 123 of the top member 1 2 and are engaged with the protrusions 124. The key 2 has at least one recess 22 and at least one groove 24 defined in the outer surface thereof At least one magnetic member 23 is located in the at least one recess 22. The number of the at least one magnetic member 23 is not greater than that of the at least one recess 22. The other recess 22 without the magnetic member 23 has a contact portion 221 which can be a stepped recess. The at least one groove 24 has different lengths.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the connection portion 21 of the key 2 is engaged with the opening 1 23 and the protrusions 124 are engaged with the connection portions 21. The connected top member 12 and the key 2 are inserted into the slot 111 of the body 11. The connection portion 131 is connected to the connection member 141 via the slot 111. The two respective connection members 141 are engaged with the notches 125 of the top member 12. The head 1 is then connected to the key 2. The top member 12, the body Ii and the index members 13, 14 have different colors and shapes.

As shown in Fig. 5 which shows the second embodiment of the present invention wherein the differences from the first embodiment are that the key 3 has at least one recess 3 1 and at least one magnetic member 32 which is located in the at least one recess 31. The number of the at least one magnetic member 32 is not greater than that of the at least one recess 31.

As shown in Fig. 6 which shows the third embodiment of the present invention wherein the differences from the first embodiment are that the key I *has at least one groove 41 defined in the outer surface thereof. The top member 12, the body II and the index members 13, 14 have different colors and shapes. The index members 13, 14 display information of the key 2/3/4, In other words, any key that has its specific shape and/or size can be easily connected with the replaceable head 1 of the present invention.

The index members 13, 14 can be used to show the use of the keys, such as for gates, doors, garages, cabinets, bedrooms, cars, or motorcycles. The descriptions on the index members 13, 14 can be coded or marked with a specific color, pattern or code. The top member 12 can also be cooperated with a chain or a tag to provide more informations.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing fi-om the scope of the present invention,

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A replaceable head for a key, comprising: a head having a body which has a slot and a passage which communicates with the slot; a top member connected to a top of the body and having two arms extending therefrom, an opening defined between the two arms, the two arms each having a notch defined in an outer side thereof., and two index members located on two sides of the body and connected to each other via the slot of the head, one of the index members having a connection portion which is located corresponding to the notch, the other index member having a connection member which is connected to the connection portion.
2. The replaceable head as claimed in claim I, wherein the top member has a hanging hole.
3. [he replaceable head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head is connected with a key which has at least one connection portion, the at least one connection portion is engaged with the opening of the top member.
4. The replaceable head as claimed in claim 3, wherein the key has at least one recess and at least one groove defined in an outer surface thereof at least one magnetic member is located in the at least one recess, a number of the at least one magnetic member is not greater than that of the at least one recess.
5. The replaceable head as claimed in claim 3, wherein the key has at least one recess and at least one magnetic member formed in an outer surface thereof, the at least one magnetic member is located in the at least one recess, a number of the at least one magnetic member is not greater than that of the at least one recess.
6. ihe replaceable head as claimed in claim 3, wherein the key has at least one groove defined in an outer surface thereof
7. The replaceable head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the index members each have a planar or stereoscopic description portion formed on an outer surface thereof
8. The replaceable head as claimed in claim I, wherein the top member, the body and the index members have different colors and shapes.