US2138416A - Concealed key receptacle for doors - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 29, 1938. T, E OX 2,138,416

CONCEALED KEY REGEPTACLE FOR DOORS Filed Sept. 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l I z L Z Zinncntor THO/VASE Cox Nov. 29, 1938. T. E, cox 2,138,416

CONCEALED KEY RECEPTACLE FOR DOORS Filed Sept. 13, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 u attorney s Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED- STATES.

@P'ATENT OFFICE.

2.138.416 QQNCEALED KEY RECEPTACLE'FOR noons Thomas E. Cox, Birmingham, Ala- Application September 13, 1937, Serial No 163,644

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and improved receptacle for keys adapted to be mounted in the door or door frame in inconspicuous position when the door is open, and in concealed position 5 when the door is closed.

The chief object of my invention is to devise a simple, inexpensive and readily formed or attached receptacle in which a door key, when not in use, can be kept always accessible and yet concealed.

One distinctive feature of my invention is that the receptacle is formed or placed at an upward incline so that the key will slip out by gravity when the slide door for the receptacle is opened.

A further distinctive feature of my invention lies in the fact that the slide door is so designed and mounted that in its closed position, with the key pressing against it, it will shift outward and stand flush with its facing plate, thus simulating a lock element for the door, but on pressing the slide in, it can be readily slipped up to release the key.

My invention in one form contemplates forming the key receptacle by boring or cutting outa suitable recess inthe door stile.

My invention further contemplates the use of a casing to be set into the door jamb, either as a separate element or in association with the slide door plate so its presence will be less noticeable.

My invention further contemplates the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts, which are hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:--

Fig. 1 shows my invention in front elevation mounted in the edge of the door stile.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through the stile and key recess, showing the door plate in side elevation.

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail front and side views, the latter partly broken away, of the slide door plate.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of the key receptacle seated in the door jamb.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the key receptacle and slide door plate.

Fig. 7 is an end view, and Fig. 8 a partial plan view of the slide door used in both forms of my invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross section of the slide door plate taken above the door and showing the latter outwardly displaced to close flush the door openns in the pla Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, I show the key receptacle formed in the door, preferablyin its stile l0 immediately abOVB the look I l. I form in any convenient way in the edge of the stile a narrow hole or recess which s ched ar l at an in e ar- 10 proximating 45. This is preferably a narrow rec s am ly wide ec i an or in .0 1 key l3. To close the open end of this recess I provide a sliding door closure 20 comprising an outer, or face plate is adapted to be seated flush in the edge of the door stile and provided with a vertically elongated slot 15 in which the sliding closure operates. The stock displaced to form this slot is left attached at the bottom end and is bent to extend up into the hole and forms 20 a slide bottom 16 for the open end of the key recess [2. A guide plate I! is mounted on the back of the face plate l4 and is formed with side flanges 18, which engage and space it from, the back of Plate M, and with end flanges l9 which close the ends of the slide way in which the 7 vertically movable sliding closure works. I form a slot 23 in plate ll corresponding to the opening l5 in the front plate and the slide strip l6 extends through this slot 23 into the recess I2 and prevents the key hanging between the plates I4 and I1. The door, as shown clearly in Figs.

7 and 8, has its central portion 20 raised and conforming in size to the opening l5 in the facing plate M. This raised center 20 is offset from its side flanges 2| to an extent equal to the thickness of the face plate I4. Thus, in its lowered position the slide is adapted to shift outwardly so that its center 26 stands flush with, and closes the opening in the face plate l4. At its lower end the slide is formed with a very short lug or projection 22, just sufi'icient for the nail of a finger to catch under and lift the closure. By pressing inwardly against the closure it is displaced inwardly from its flush position into 5 engagement with the guide plate I! when it stands free to move upwardly in the slide way. When slid up to full open position the closure releases the key to slide out automatically into the hand of the operator. The door will close by gravity when released and when a key is in the pocket its endwise pressure against the closure will hold it in its flush position in plate M, in which it closely resembles a latch element of the door lock. Screw holes 24 are formed through the ends of both plates I4 and I1 and may be punched so as to interlock the-plates together, or they may be spot welded or riveted.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 I show a metallic key receptacle 25 associated with the closure elements 26 and 21, similar to M and I1, but here the plate is set into the door jamb 28 immediately above the keeper 29. The opening I5 is similar to that in the facing plate l4, and the open end of the receptacle is fitted against the guide plate I! and may be secured thereto if desired in any suitable way. Due to the fact that the jamb is not thick enough to enable the key receptacle to be formed therein, it is necessary to utilizethis metallic receptacle 25 formed of any suitable material and its lower bottom edge is formed into a downturned flange 30 which hooks over the bottom of slot 23 in the plate 21. The seat cut in the jamb 28 snugly receives the back plate 27, the face plate 26, and the receptacle, and these parts may be left separate and made fast in any suitable way in the jamb, or all may be assembled before they are mounted. As shown the elements by the key in current use, the extra key is also for said recess comprising a sliding door and concealed guides therefor, the inclination of said recess being such that the key slides out by gravity.

3. A receptacle for door keys comprising a means defining an upwardly inclined key-receiving recess in a door element, a sliding closure for said recess and comprising a face plate seated flush in the door element and having an aperture, a closure guide'on the back of said plate, the sliding closure being adapted'in closed position to shift bodily outwardly into said aperture and assume a position flush with the outer face of said face plate in response to the pressure of a key in said inclined recess.

4. A receptacle according to claim 1, in which the closure comprises an outer apertured plate having a portion thereof bent back into position to'form an inclined bottom slide for the key recess.

5. A key receptacle comprising'in'combination with a slide door plate having a door opening, a slide door, a back plate forming a vertical slide guide for said door and having anopening opposite said door opening, and .a key receptacle mounted behind said back plate in register with its opening and disposed at a sharp upward inclination.

6. A key receptacle according to claim 5, in which the receptacle has an open end engaging the back plate and provided with a bottom flange adapted to engage over the bottom edge of the opening in said back plate.

- THOMAS E. COX.

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