US3324586A

US3324586A - Identification of key-use

Info

Publication number: US3324586A
Application number: US417370A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nancy J Mitchell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-12-10
Filing date: 1964-12-10
Publication date: 1967-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-13

Description

June 13, W67 J. MITCHELL 3,324,586

IDENTIFICATION OF KEY -USE Filed Dec. 10, 1964 FIG. I

3 WK SECTION AA 3 FIG. 3 I\ M SECTIONBB INVENTOR:

NANCY J. MITCHE L L 3,324,586 IDENTIFICATION OF KEY-USE Nancy J. Mitcheli, 30600 Springland Drive, Farmington, Mich. 48024 Filed Dec. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 417,370 1 Claim. (Cl. 40-330) This invention relates to the identification of keys as regards their use wherein the key itself is made adaptable to marking by the owner or user so that the lock for which the key is used, or the general use or application of the key, is identified on the key.

In view of the state of the art, it is the principal object of the present invention to allow the owner or user to readily identify from the key the specific lock for which the key is to be used, or general use or application of the key; such as: front door, specific car, office, trunk, cottage, workshop, etc.

It is also the object of the present invention to be applicable to all types of locks or locking type mechanisms which require a separate key to operate them.

Another object of the present invention is that it can readily be applied to new keys or keys which are already lI1 use.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a markable card or material which can be inserted in a punched or cut out portion of the top of the key and covered, if necessary, with a clear plastic or other transparent protective material. The card or material insert would slide out one side or otherwise be accessible to the owner or user in order that he may write, print, or otherwise mark the use or uses for which the key is to be put.

The many objects and advantages of the present invention will he more fully understood upon consideration of the following discussion and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a two-dimension front view of a key in which the top part has had a portion cut out.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse section AA of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse section BB of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are two-dimension front views of keys with the top portions having sections cut out and identifying cards inserted. The various uses for identifications are indicated in the various keys shown. The examples are not meant to be exclusive.

While the method of identifying the key as above is practical and easily adaptable to all types of keys, it obviously can be identified in many ways without depart- 3,324,586 Patented June 13, 1967 ing from the invention and without altering the mode of operation.

I prefer to punch, stamp or cut a rectangular piece from the top portion of the key in such a manner that the space could be filled by a White or light colored card or other material upon one or both sides of which the use of the key may be written, printed, or otherwise marked, and which slides into position and snaps into place by the force of the transparent material which may be on one or both sides of the markable card or material and held in position in grooves cut into the key.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 illustrates a key 1 with a punched, stamped, or otherwise cut space 2 in which the edge 3 around the space and to the limit of the thickness of the key, is V grooved and ground or cut (tapered) at one end of the space 4 in order that a card or other material and transparent protective covering material may easily be slipped in and out of position. FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse section AA of FIGURE 1 showing both the V groove 3 and tapered area 4. FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse section BB of FIGURE 1 showing the V groove on the other two sides of the space 2.

With reference to FIGURE 4, the key with identifying card 5 is shown with identification of the use of the key 6 and the covering material 7.

I claim:

A key for retaining identifying material comprising:

a top portion and a shank portion;

said top portion having a rectangular space therein extending through the thickness of the key; and edges on said top portion defined by said space through the thickness of said key and extending around at least three sides of said space; said edges being V-grooved through said thickness to hold said identifying material in said space; the edge on one of said sides being tapered to allow said identifying material to be slipped in and out of position in said space.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 312,545 2/1885 Zeilin 40--330 1,219,706 3/1917 Dahne 40330 1,653,581 12/1927 McKellar 40- 330 3,093,920 6/1963 Epstein et al. 40-330 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. GRIEB, Assistant Examiner.