WO2007118974A1

WO2007118974A1 - Key designed to be assembled with a lamp and luminous key

Info

Publication number: WO2007118974A1
Application number: PCT/FR2007/000542
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olivier Bascoul; Luc Josancy
Original assignee: Olivier Bascoul; Luc Josancy
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-29
Publication date: 2007-10-25
Also published as: FR2899264A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a key comprising a head and a stem (9), designed to be assembled with a lamp comprising a light-emitting diode (12) and a flat battery. The head of the key has a lumen (1) provided through the thickness of the key designed to receive a housing (21) containing the battery and the light-emitting diode in a radially projecting recess (13). The invention also concerns the luminous key obtained by assembling the inventive key and a lamp comprising a light-emitting diode (12) and a flat battery.

Description

ADAPTED KEY TO BE ASSEMBLED WITH A LAMP

AND LIGHT KEY

The invention relates to a lock key comprising a flat head and a rod, adapted to be assembled with a lamp comprising a light diode and a flat battery, so that, after assembly:

the light diode extends in the plane of the key,

- The battery extends in the thickness of the head of the key. The invention extends to a light key formed by an assembly of a key according to the invention and a lamp comprising a light diode and a flat battery.

Throughout the text, the term "flat-headed wrench", any key whose head has a general shape of a flat and rigid plate portion extending in a main plane, said plane of the key. The stem of a key is the portion of the key intended to be housed inside a corresponding lock at the end of insertion of the key into this lock.

Light keys having a light source arranged with respect to the key are known such that the focus of the light source remains clear of obstacles in order to be able to project the light produced by the light source onto a lock located in the light source. the axis of the key shank.

In particular, it has already been proposed to form a light key from a key whose head is adapted to be able to receive a housing comprising a battery and a light source extending, after mounting, projecting radially from an outline of the key head seen from the front. This location of the light source on the key then creates an irregularity in the outline of the key head. This irregularity is often unsightly. Moreover, it is a source of discomfort for the user when using the key. Also, the manufacture of such a light key assumes the design and manufacture of a key with a specific head having a receiving housing housing. Thus, it is not possible to equip a standard key such as those currently marketed, such a housing to turn the key light key.

FR 2411290 suggests the production of an illuminating key by assembling a key and an electric lamp formed of a housing containing a mercury cell 10 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height, an ampoule and a contact, which housing being held in place in a "ring" of the key by magnets or springs. The light beam emerging from the bulb which is carried inside the housing and extends as it protrudes axially on one side and the other of the head of the key, then illuminates both sides of the rod. of the bit. However, besides the practical realization of such a key is not clear from this document, the suggested solution is not realistic in practice, the light key described being unattractive, impractical and a price much too important to be exploited on an industrial scale. A lamp protruding radially beyond the edge of the flat key and / or axially beyond the thickness of the head of the key, is likely to receive the support that a user is naturally led to exercise on side edges of the key head when opening a lock using the key. A stress concentration then occurs, by leverage, in the structure of the battery lamp and / or in the fixing means of this battery lamp on the key. Therefore, it is necessary to provide these known traditional lamps a structure supporting such constraints, including a thicker structure or made of a more rigid material, under penalty of seeing a rupture or deformation of compromise its operation. Such a structure also represents an additional cost which it is important to avoid.

The same drawbacks are found in other previously proposed light keys and formed of an assembly of various different parts including a key shaft and a head forming a housing receiving a battery and a light source. The invention aims to provide, at low cost, a key and a battery operated lamp that form, when combined, an aesthetic, ergonomic and functional.

In particular, the invention aims to provide a light key for effective lighting of a lock when the battery is activated, especially when the key is disposed in an insertion direction of the key in the lock.

In particular, the invention aims to provide a prefabricated key -especially a key whose head and stem are formed of a single rigid part of a battery-powered lamp while preserving the overall aesthetic appearance of the key and its grip in hand. In particular, the invention aims at providing such a light key in which no part of the lamp portion added to the key extends beyond the contour of the key head seen from the front.

In addition, the invention aims to provide a light key whose lamp is adapted to be used and marketed independently of the key.

The invention aims to provide, with lamps, prefabricated keys with flat heads having different shapes and thicknesses. In particular, the invention aims to allow installation of a lamp on such a key does not require a specific design of the key or expensive or complex changes of the key. In particular, it is to be able to make such a change quickly and economically, preferably the same way for different forms of key head and different key thicknesses. In particular, the invention aims at providing a luminous key whose lamp:

- is ergonomic and functional,

-presents a reliable, economical, robust and easy-to-use manual activation mechanism, -may be manufactured from standard parts produced at low cost, - is efficient and economical.

The invention aims in particular to provide, for a given battery, a significant lighting duration and a significant lighting efficiency. In addition, the invention aims to provide a key adapted to receive a battery lamp, which can be used and marketed independently of the battery lamp. In particular, the invention aims to provide, at low cost, an aesthetic key, ergonomic and functional, capable of receiving simply and economically, a battery lamp. In particular, the invention aims to allow to adapt a prefabricated key to be able to provide a battery lamp preserving the original outer contour in the plane (seen from the front) of the head of the key.

The invention also aims to allow such an adaptation simply, quickly, economically and without significantly reducing the rigidity and structural strength of the key head against the torsional forces that can be applied during the use of the key.

Furthermore, the invention aims to allow such an adaptation of the key preserving the appearance (possibly distinctive) original general aesthetics. In addition, the invention also aims to provide such a key for fixing (removable or permanent) a battery lamp on the key.

To do this, the invention relates to a key comprising a flat head and a rod, this key being adapted to be assembled with a lamp comprising a light diode and a battery, the head of the key being adapted to receive a housing containing the battery and on which the light diode is mounted, characterized in that the head of the key comprises an opening, called a through-light, defined:

by a main portion of wall of general shape adapted to be able to receive a flat housing enclosing a flat pile in the general shape of a wafer with a circular contour extending in the thickness of the head of the key,

and by a notch projecting radially (outwardly) from said main wall portion in the plane of the key, this notch being adapted to be able to receive the light diode projecting radially from the housing into the plan of the key.

The invention makes it possible to adapt existing keys in order to equip them with a battery lamp by providing a through-light in the head of the keys, which can be achieved quickly and economically. This modification can be performed in the same way for keys having heads of different shapes and thicknesses at the head.

As a result, the general shape of the key head seen from the front has the same general appearance as before the modification of the key head. In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, the through-light is formed in the head of the key so that a peripheral portion defining a closed contour of the key head is retained.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said main wall portion delimiting the through-light is generally circular

(arcuate), and adapted to receive a circular dish flat housing. The notch extends radially outwardly with respect to this main portion of the circular wall.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the wall delimiting the through-light is provided with means for mounting the lamp by elastic deformation with lugs and conjugated cavity (s). In an advantageous embodiment and according to the invention, the flat head and the shaft of the key are formed of a single rigid piece, for example a metal alloy plate portion. A key according to the invention may consist of a single rigid piece forming the head of the key and the rod. Advantageously and according to the invention, the notch is disposed behind a shank of the wrench and protrudes in the axial direction of insertion of the wrench, i.e. in the axial direction of the shank.

The invention extends to a light key formed by the assembly of a key according to the invention and a lamp. The invention therefore also relates to a light key formed by the assembly of a key comprising a head and a rod, and a lamp comprising a light diode and a battery, the head of the key being adapted to receive a housing containing the battery and on which the light diode is mounted, characterized in that: the lamp comprises a flat housing enclosing the battery, on which the light diode is mounted so as to project radially from this housing in the plane of the key, the stack being in the general shape of a wafer with a circular contour and extending axially in the direction of the thickness of the key and in the thickness of the head of the key, the head of the key comprises a opening, said through-light, bounded:

- by a main wall portion of general shape receiving the flat housing enclosing the circular flat battery extending in the thickness of the head of the key, - and by a notch extending radially projecting (outwardly) of said main wall portion in the plane of the key, and receiving the light diode radially projecting from the housing in the plane of the key.

The casing containing the battery and carrying the light diode being housed in the through-light, the invention makes it possible in particular to obtain, from a standard-size key, a luminous key whose outline of the key-head seen from face corresponds to the outline of the key head seen from the front of the standard key. However, the invention also applies to a light key whose key is specifically adapted to receive a lamp.

In particular, the shapes and dimensions of the housing and the through-light receiving it are adapted so that no portion of the housing extends radially beyond the peripheral contour of the key head, seen from the front once the housing is inserted into the light.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the flat housing has a circular periphery, and said main wall portion of the through-light housing the housing is circular. Furthermore, advantageously and according to the invention, the through-light is formed in the key head so that a peripheral portion-particularly of generally annular shape-of the key head defining a closed contour of the key head is retained.

Advantageously and according to the invention: the key has two opposite faces each having an edge, said support edge, extending at the edge of the through-light, a housing of the lamp enclosing the battery comprises two peripheral overflows each extending in excess of one of the support edges of the key.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the luminous key is characterized in that the overflows are adapted to clamp the thickness of the key between the support edges.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the luminous key is characterized in that the lamp comprises a housing comprising at least one peripheral edge mounted in the through-light by resiliently deformable pin-fitting means and conjugated cavity (s) receiving these lugs. The lugs extend radially projecting. Pins may be carried by the key head projecting radially inwardly from the wall defining the light of the key to engage a cavity of the housing edge. Alternatively or in combination, lugs worn by the edge of the housing may extend radially projecting outwardly of this edge to engage in a cavity facing the wall defining the through-light of the key.

When the housing is mounted on the key, the flat battery extends in the thickness of the head of the key and axially in the direction of the thickness of the key. Advantageously and according to the invention, the housing comprises two conjugated half-shells each covering one of two opposite faces of the stack and joined at a junction extending facing a wall delimiting the through-light. If the two half-shells are fixed to each other removably, the housing provides access to the battery, to replace it when exhausted for example. However, the means for opening the housing for this access are not made visible, which contributes to the aesthetics of the whole. Alternatively, the two half-shells are not removable and 1 set is jable.

In particular, the housing furthermore encloses electrical connections for connecting the light diode to the terminals of the battery.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the luminous key is characterized in that the housing comprises elastically deformable bending walls extending opposite and at a distance from the electrodes of the cell, and in that the housing contains, for each electrode of the battery, at least one conductive terminal adapted to be brought into contact with this electrode, so as to form a manual activation mechanism of the lamp of the type in which the battery has no permanent contact with an electrical conductor. Therefore, it is possible to manually exert pressure on the flexible walls of the housing so as to produce the supply of the light diode electrical energy by contact of the electrical connections to the terminals of the battery. The absence of any permanent contact between each electrode of the battery and any other conductive element of the manual activation electrical circuit makes it possible to avoid loss of energy by parasitic current. This results in a very long life of the battery.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the luminous key is characterized in that the light diode is disposed behind the stem of the key and extends in the axial direction of insertion of the rod. The inventors have been able to verify that, despite the obstacle constituted by the body of the key at the level of the rod disposed across the focus of the light diode on its optical axis of light diffusion, the lamp efficiently realizes the illumination of a lock when opening or closing this lock in the dark.

In a key according to the invention, the lamp is protected against any impact received by the key in the axis of the rod.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the luminous key is characterized in that the lamp is removably mounted on the key. The invention also relates to a key and a luminous key characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of some of its embodiments given solely by way of non-limiting examples and which refers to the appended figures in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a key and a lamp according to a first embodiment of the invention before mounting the lamp on the key, the figure illustrating a provision of the lamp to the plumb a light through the key and in an orientation allowing the mounting of the lamp on the key,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the key of FIG. 1 before mounting the lamp on the key,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the lamp and the key of FIG. 1 after mounting the lamp on the key,

FIG. 4 is a profile view of the lamp and the key of FIG. 1 after mounting the lamp on the key,

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp of FIG. 1, - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a key and a lamp according to a second embodiment of the invention before mounting the lamp on the key, the figure illustrating a provision of the lamp to the plumb a light through the key and in an orientation allowing the mounting of the lamp on the key,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a head of the key of FIG. 6 along a section plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the key illustrating the mounting of the lamp on the key, produced by means of overflows of a housing of the lamp resting on support edges of the through-light. A key according to the invention shown in the figures comprises a rigid part, in particular metal alloy, forming a key shank and a flat head.

An opening, called through-light 1, is formed through the thickness of the head of the key. This through light 1 receives a lamp comprising a flat housing 21 enclosing a flat battery 11, and carrying a light diode 12 (LED) which forms a light source.

The housing 21 of the lamp has a generally flat shape with a generally cylindrical contour surrounding a flat stack 11 in the general shape of cylindrical slab circular contour. The battery 11 may be formed of a single electrochemical cell or a battery of several electrochemical cells, and may or may not be rechargeable. For example, the battery may be a lithium battery commonly sold under the standard name CR2016.

The stack 11 is adapted to be arranged to extend in the thickness of the key without producing a substantial extra thickness. The thickness of the battery 11 is in any case adapted so that the total thickness of the housing 21 does not exceed twice the thickness of the head of the key.

Preferably, the housing 21 of the lamp can be shaped to wrap more just the peripheral contour of the battery 11, so as to form a compact housing. The flat, flat stacked stack 11 having two opposed parallel main free faces, is of the type comprising an anode formed of a first main face of the stack, and a cathode formed of a second main face of the cylindrical stack opposite to the first main face forming the anode.

The light diode 12 is carried by the housing 21 so as to extend radially parallel to the main plane of the cell and projecting outwards with respect to the generally cylindrical peripheral contour of this housing 21 and with respect to the battery 11. The housing 21 can be made by means of two plastic half-shells 15, 16 conjugate, one extending facing the cathode and the other extending opposite the anode. Each half-shell 15, 16 is shaped to have a general disc shape.

The half-shells 15, 16 have peripheral edges conjugated so as to cooperate during a mounting of these half-shells 15, 16 around the stack 11 and one on the other so as to form a housing 21 wrapping the pile.

In particular, a peripheral edge 22 of one of the half-shells projecting from this half-shell in the axial direction of the stack (orthogonal to its main faces) may form a clamping flange of a conjugated peripheral edge 23 the other half-shell projecting from this half-shell in the axial direction of the stack. A removable attachment of the half-shells one on the other can thus be achieved by the set of elastic deformations occurring in these two peripheral edges 22, 23 when the junction of the two half-shells is made by forcing the arrangement of these edges 22, 23, one in the other. Preferably, surfaces in contact with these two peripheral edges may be provided with ribs and / or furrows and / or lugs so as to improve the efficiency of the assembly of the two half-shells one on the other. Therefore, the lamp has a junction of the two half-shells, this junction extending along a peripheral edge 24 of the lamp intended to be arranged opposite a wall 5, 8 delimiting the through-light 1, continued to a mounting of the lamp on the key. This junction is thus masked out of sight and does not affect the overall appearance of all formed by the assembly of the lamp and the key.

Other methods of assembling the two half-shells 15, 16 may be provided, variants not shown. For example, the two half-shells 15, 16 can be screwed to one another. Nothing also prevents the half-shells from being bonded permanently to one another, for example by gluing, by means of ultrasound welds ... In this case, the lamp can be marketed in the form of a disposable lamp. In addition, in this variant (not shown) the two half-shells 15, 16 may be identical and manufactured from a single mold. The housing 21 incorporates manual activation means of the ignition of the light diode 12. These manual activation means may advantageously be formed of at least one flexible wall actuating the lamp causing, under the effect of an elastic deformation in flexion, a switching for switching on the light diode 12. Preferably, the means for manually activating the ignition of the light diode 12 are formed by the two main walls of the two half-shells 15, 16 of the housing 21 which are flexible and normally (at rest) remote from the electrodes of the battery 11, these half-shells 15, 16 carrying electrical contact terminals also normally held at a distance from the electrodes of the battery 11. These walls flexible can be deformed in elastic flexion to be respectively closer to the electrodes of the battery 11 to the contact terminals on the electrodes under the effect of a pressure exerted manually pa r a user.

Each half-shell 15, 16 has a portion, said active portion, extending opposite the corresponding battery terminal (anode or cathode) and forming a cover of this terminal. This active portion is in dome shape so as to extend normally (at rest) away from the corresponding terminal without coming into contact with the latter.

Each active portion has a regular thickness and is made of a material adapted to elastically deform in bending under the effect of a pressure of the finger exerted by the user, towards the inside of the housing until coming against the electrode of the stack next, and then regain its original shape away from the electrode of the battery when this pressure has stopped.

The housing 21 encloses a contact terminal for each electrode of the cell. These contact terminals, known as the anode terminal and the cathode terminal respectively, are arranged with respect to the light diode 12 and with respect to the battery 11 so as to be able to electrically connect, under simultaneous pressure, the two active portions of the lamp towards the battery 11, each of the two connecting conductor wires of the light diode 12 with a corresponding electrode of the battery 11, so as to provide an electrical circuit for supplying the light diode 12 for generating light .

Each contact terminal forming an electrical connection can be made in the form (not shown) of a printed circuit - in particular by screen printing - either directly on the inner wall of the active portion 25 of the corresponding half-shell, or on a plastic film. bonded to an inner wall of the corresponding active portion.

Under a pressure exerted manually by the user on the active wall, the printed circuit comes into contact with the corresponding electrode of the cell so that this electrode is electrically connected with a corresponding branch wire of the light diode 12. Preferably, the connecting wire of the light diode 12 may be connected to the electrical circuit by welding. Alternatively, the connection wire can be kept in contact with the electrical circuit by immobilizing the relative positions of the light diode 12 and the electrical circuit by means of glue or by wedging in grooves or other parts of the lamp provided for this purpose. Alternatively (not shown), each contact terminal can be formed, at least in part, directly by the branch wire 18 provided integral with the light diode 12, itself constituting a terminal of the light diode 12. The son of branch 18 of the light diode 12 can thus be attached to the inner walls of the active portions. In the case where the connection son 18 have sufficient rigidity, this attachment of the connection son is not mandatory. Indeed, the branch wires can be shaped to have a natural tendency to move out of contact with the battery electrodes in the absence of pressure exerted by the user on the active walls. To do this, the connection wires 18 of the light diode 12 may in practice be plastically deformed, before assembling the half-shells of the housing 21, so as to form, with respect to each other, a fork flared at the base of the light diode 12. In this way, following an elastic deformation occurring from each branch wire 18 during a bringing together of these connection wires during the assembly of the half-shells, each branch wire is elastically forced against the inner wall of the corresponding active portion. Therefore, the branch wire remains in contact with the inner wall, whether in the presence or absence of pressure exerted by the user on the active portions. In addition, it is possible, to form each contact terminal 18, 19, to use, as shown in FIG. 5, flat connector members reported on the connection wires 18 of the light diode 12.

The production of such an electrical circuit for supplying the light diode 12 makes it possible to limit the lengths of the electricity transmission portions between the battery 11 and the light diode 12 and thus makes it possible to limit the energy losses. likely to occur during this transmission.

The half-shells 15, 16 may be obtained for example by molding a plastic material. Nothing prevents the half-shells from being made by any other forming process that makes it possible to form, in a material synthetic plastic or any other electrical insulating material, for forming active shape memory walls as previously described.

The light diode 12 comprises a light-generating portion extending radially with respect to the battery, in extension of a base of the light diode 12 and projecting radially beyond the housing 21 of the lamp.

Preferably, the light diode 12 may be located in a plane extending radially with respect to the cell and cutting the lamp at half thickness (the thickness being the dimension of the lamp in the axial direction of the stack orthogonal to its faces). main).

The housing 21 comprises a housing of the base of the light diode 12 enclosing the latter so as to immobilize the light diode 12. The light diode 12 can be stuck at this level due to pressure exerted by the half-shells on the base of the light diode 12 following the assembly of the two half-shells 15, 16 one on the other. Alternatively, the light diode 12 can be fixed permanently, for example by means of glue.

The light diode 12 may be arbitrary, of characteristics adapted to those of the battery, to the desired lighting, and to the appropriate format for mounting in the light of the head of the key.

The manual activation mechanism of the lamp also provides a battery lamp whose battery has no permanent contact with a fixed electrical contact. Indeed, such contact is, on the one hand, a risk of corrosion and, on the other hand, is frequently the seat of a slow discharge of the battery. In addition, the lamp has a virtually zero risk of battery discharge by short circuit in contact with the metal body of the key.

Indeed, the housing forms an electrically insulating cover completely enveloping the battery. Moreover, the risk of short circuit by contact of the anode and cathode contact terminals with each other is practically nil because these contact terminals are arranged on either side of the stack and that the light diode 12 may advantageously be arranged close to the edge of the stack so that no portion, or at least a very small portion, of the terminals of the contact is opposite, and that in any case, they can not touch each other.

Nothing prevents to integrate in the lamp, in addition to the light diode, other electrical or electronic active elements that can be powered by the battery.

The through lumen 1 is delimited by a portion, said main wall portion 5, 8 having a profile forming a circular arc in the plane of the key, and a wall 3 delimiting a notch 13 extending radially outwardly towards outside the circle of the main wall portion 5, 8, in the plane of the key. The peripheral contour of the through-light 1 thus delimited by the main wall portion 5, 8 and the notch wall 3 is a closed contour. The wall delimiting the through-lumen 1 consists of the main wall portion 5, 8 and the wall 3 delimiting the notch 13. This wall delimiting the through-lumen 1 therefore has a predominantly circular profile (the main wall portion 5 , 8 being generally symmetrical with revolution) with the exception of the wall 3 delimiting the notch 13 which completes the peripheral contour of the through-lumen 1, and closing the arc formed by the main wall portion 5, 8 .

The main wall portion 5, 8 has a general shape forming a generally cylindrical housing adapted to receive the generally cylindrical peripheral contour of the flat housing 21 (with the exception of the light diode 12 which is housed in the notch 13) containing the flat battery 11, the latter being in the general shape of a wafer with a circular contour and extending from the thickness of the head of the key. Thus, after mounting, the main wall portion 5, 8 surrounds the housing 21 over its entire periphery, with the exception of the light diode 12 projecting radially from this housing 21. The notch 13 is arranged relative to the head of the key so that the light diode 12 can illuminate the space extending in the direction of the rod 9 beyond the key, that is to say forward in the direction of introduction of the key shank into a lock, to illuminate this lock and allow its viewing in the dark to facilitate the use of the key. According to the invention, the notch 13 is not arranged rearwardly, that is to say in a direction opposite to the rod 9. Preferably, and as shown in the figures, the notch 13 and the light diode 12 are arranged behind the shank 9 of the key and extend relative to the main wall portion 5, 8 projecting radially forward in the axial direction of insertion of the key.

Furthermore, the indentation 13 preferably has a shape to circumvent closer to the light diode 12 of the lamp. Therefore, the through-light 1 thus has a shape conjugate to that formed by the housing 21 and the contour of the light diode 12 in a representation of the lamp seen from the front.

It should be noted that nothing prevents the wall 3 delimiting the indentation 13 from having a more flared shape insofar as this shape makes it possible to retain sufficient rigidity and resistance to allow the use of the key in locking and unlocking. in good conditions.

In the first embodiment, the main wall portion 8 defining the through-light 1 has lugs 4 angularly distributed in a regular manner with respect to the generally circular shape of the main portion of the wall and each extending towards the center of the this circular form.

According to the first embodiment, the lugs are preferably arranged at mid-depth of the through-light 1.

By way of nonlimiting example, the main wall portion 8 may have three lugs 4 thus arranged, preferably uniformly distributed at the periphery of the slot 1, projecting radially inwards from this, and each having a semicircular profile wall in section in the plane of the key.

The lugs 4 have a dimension, called the thickness, in the direction of the depth of the through-light 1, adapted to be able to force the lugs between two edges facing a groove 6 formed in a recess in a peripheral edge 24 of the housing 21 of the lamp and extending on either side of the light diode 12 along the periphery of the housing. Mounting the lamp on the key can be achieved by exerting pressure on the lamp tending to accommodate the lamp in the thickness of the key at the lumen 1 through. An elastic deformation of the peripheral edge 24 and / or lugs 4 then occurs to allow the passage of the lugs 4 to the inside of the groove 6 where they are then wedged between the walls facing the latter. To do this, the thickness of the lugs 4 is slightly greater than a spacing distance of the walls facing the groove 6. In the first embodiment, the lugs 4 and the groove 6 allow for a mounting, said mounting by clipping, removable lamp on the key.

Nothing prevents to provide, instead of the groove 6, cavities (not shown) formed recessed hollow in the peripheral edge 24 so that each can be arranged vis-à-vis a lug and receive this lug by deforming elastically.

Moreover, nothing prevents the provision, alternatively or in combination, of lugs (not shown) being carried by the lamp so as to be able to extend, following the mounting of the lamp on the key, in a groove ( not shown) or individual cavities (not shown) formed in the wall of the through-light. In this case, it is preferably the lugs and / or the lamp housing that deform during assembly so as to accommodate the lugs in the cavities or the groove of the key.

It should be noted that, in all cases, a mounting of the lamp in the light of the head of the wrench by elastically deformed pins inserted in a conjugate cavity, allows the mounting of the same lamp in keys of varying thicknesses. Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the lamp formed of the housing 21, the battery 11 and the light diode 12 is in the form of a unitary assembly that can be mounted and disassembled together in a single movement. relative to the head of the key. The housing 21 is adapted to be engaged in the through-light 1 axially, that is to say orthogonally to the main plane of the housing 21, the head of the key and the through-light 1.

In the second embodiment, the main wall portion 5 defining the through-light 1 has a regular surface free of irregularities, lugs or cavities. In this case, the removable attachment of the lamp to the key can be obtained by providing each side of the lamp overflows 7 extending beyond the peripheral edge 24 of the housing 21. After mounting, each peripheral overflow 7 is in resting on a bearing edge 14 of a corresponding face of the key extending along the edge and at the periphery of the through-light 1. The housing 21 thus comprises two peripheral overflows 7 each extending in an extra thickness of one of the support edges 14 of the key. The two overflows 7 are adapted to clamp the thickness of the head of the key (the two support edges 14) after assembly.

Preferably, each overflow 7 extends over the entire length of the peripheral periphery of the lamp housing 21, possibly excluding the portion receiving the light diode 12. Such overflows 7 make it possible to produce a key equipped with a lamp , the junction of the lamp and the housing 21 of the key having a continuous and regular appearance under the finger. The overflow 7 and the active portion of each half-shell can be formed simultaneously by molding, by bi-injection (use of different molding materials).

In order to avoid that during the use of the key, inadvertent disassembly of the lamp and the key, the removable fastening means are preferably shaped (Young's module of the peripheral edge, Young's modulus of overflows 7, protrusion thickness forming edges of the groove 6, dimension of the lugs 4, size of the overflows 7) so that the pressure to be applied to the lamp to remove it from the key is greater than that normally exerted on the lateral edges of the key when locking and unlocking operations of a lock with the aid thereof.

In any case, it should be noted that even in the case where the removable attachment means do not in themselves prevent any inadvertent separation of the lamp and the key, the key equipped with a lamp according to the invention can nevertheless be used without the inadvertent dismantling of the lamp and the key when the user realizes, when using the key, an orthodox grip in which the torsional torque of the key, for the purpose of locking or unlocking a lock, is applied mainly at the lateral edges of the head of the key.

It should be noted that nothing prevents the lamp and the key from being fixed in a normally irreversible manner, for example by means of glue, by embedding, by welding (in the case where the material constituting the peripheral edge of the lamp and that constituting the wall 5, 8 of the through-light, are suitable), or by any other appropriate means ... The risk of accidental disassembly of the key can, therefore, be practically canceled for normal use of the key.

According to the embodiments shown, a key according to the invention can be obtained from a standard flat-head key. In particular, this key may consist of a single piece in the form of a rigid plate constituting a flat head and a rod shaped flat blade. The key according to the invention may be formed of any material conferring on the key head, following its transformation according to the invention to provide a lamp, taking into account the shape, thickness and surface area of the lamp. the key head, sufficient rigidity and resistance to enable lock unlocking maneuvers of a lock in good conditions. In practice, the key according to the invention may be metal alloy (steel, light alloys ...) and / or rigid polymeric plastic.

In the drawings, the key according to the invention comprises a flat head comprising a main portion of generally circular outer contour or other, extending in a plane of the key, and a portion 31 forming a fastening ring for keychain extending the main portion in the plane of the key.

According to the invention, the key is provided with a through lumen 1 for receiving and housing the housing 21 of a lamp.

Preferably, the through-light 1 may be made in one or more successive stages, by means of conventional machining machines, in particular by stamping, stamped metal, stamping, molding, laser cutting or water jet, milling, drilling, ... Preferably, the through lumen 1 of the first embodiment is obtained by means of a drilling, then a milling, in order to allow a quick and economical realization of the lugs 4.

In the first embodiment, the edges delimiting the through-light 1 are rounded, in particular for the sake of comfort and aesthetics.

A similar treatment can be made for the edges of the through-light 1 of the second embodiment. It is, however, necessary to preserve sufficient protruding material at each edge so as to provide a sufficient bearing surface for the overflows 7. Preferably, in the embodiments shown, the through-light 1 is arranged in such a way that extending substantially centrally with respect to the generally circular shape of the key head so that a generally annular peripheral portion 30 (besides the indentation 13, the possible lugs and / or mounting groove of the housing, and the portion 31 forming attachment ring as described above) of the key head defining a closed contour of the head of key seen from the front is conserved following the transformation.

As previously described, this closed peripheral contour of the key head makes it possible to confer on the key according to the invention a rigidity and an appropriate resistance in torsion in the axial direction of the key with a view to its use. In addition, said annular portion can serve as a bearing surface to perform a torsional force on the key.

Nothing prevents, to the extent that the surface of the key head allows, to arrange the through-light 1 to dispose the lamp substantially eccentric (offset laterally) in the plane of the key head.

After mounting the lamp on the head of the key, the housing 21 is housed in the through-light 1, mainly surrounded by the main wall portion 5, 8 which surrounds the housing 21 over its entire periphery with the exception of the light diode 12, and the light diode 12 is housed in the notch 13. In the embodiments shown according to the invention, the notch 13 is disposed directly behind the rod 9 of the key (at the rear end of the rod 9 ), and extends in a direction of insertion of the key.

The inventors have noticed that the illumination produced by the lamp in the axial direction 40 of the key is not completely blocked by the thickness of the key and that the intensity of the illumination produced in the axial zone of the key, although diminished in this place, is sufficient to allow a user immersed in the dark to direct a maneuver insertion of the key inside a corresponding lock. Moreover, the central axial portion of lesser brightness can be an aid to the sight of the lock.

Furthermore, a different lighting of the lock or any other object can be obtained by means of a key equipped with a lamp according to the invention, by pivoting the key so as to orient a lateral flank of the light diode 12 directly to the lock. It should be noted in addition that the light diode 12 illuminates the assembly of the rod 9 and the head of the key, to properly visualize the key during the maneuver.

When inserting the rod 9 in a lock, a stop of the key can be achieved by means of a stop 10 located at the junction of the head and the rod 9 of the key.

The light diode 12 is, in the embodiments shown, disposed behind this stop 10 so that it is not likely to undergo the impact of parts of the lock located across its path during insertion. of the key in the lock.

It should be noted that nothing prevents the light diode 12 from being arranged so that it extends into the birth of the key shank, provided that the light diode 12 does not, following this arrangement, have any extra thickness relative to the rod 9, and it does not affect the operation of the key.

Nothing prevents the application of the invention to keys whose head has a thickness greater than that of the lamp. In this case, the fixing of the lamp can be obtained by means of lugs, as described above.

It should be noted that in the embodiments shown, the lamp extends only very slightly in excess thickness of each face of the key, and this, symmetrically with respect to the plane of the key, which contributes significantly to the aesthetic appearance of all formed the assembly of the lamp and the key. In particular, a light key according to the invention has a total overall thickness less than twice the thickness of the non-equipped key of the lamp, which can typically be of the order of 2 mm.

Claims

1 / - Key comprising a flat head and a rod (9) adapted to be assembled with a lamp comprising a light diode (12) and a battery (11), the head of the key being adapted to receive a housing containing the battery (11) and on which the light diode (12) is mounted, characterized in that the head of the key comprises an opening, called a through-light (1), delimited:

- by a main wall portion (5, 8) of general shape adapted to be able to receive a flat housing (21) enclosing a flat battery (11) in the general shape of a wafer circular contour extending in the thickness of the head of the key,

- and by a notch (13) projecting radially from said main wall portion (5, 8) in the plane of the key, and adapted to receive the light diode (12) projecting radially from the housing (21) in the plane of the key.

Key according to claim 1, characterized in that said main wall portion (5, 8) delimiting the through-light is generally circular, and adapted to receive a casing (21) flat circular periphery. 3 / - Key according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the through-light (1) is provided so that a portion (30) peripheral of the key head defining a closed contour of the key head be kept.

Al-Key according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wall (8) delimiting the lumen (1) through is provided with means for mounting the lamp by elastic deformation pins (4) and cavity (s) (6) conjugates.

5 / - Key according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flat head and the rod (9) are formed in one piece and in that Péchancrure (3) is disposed behind the rod (9) of the key and protrudes in the axial direction of insertion of the key.

61- Key according to claim 5, characterized in that the notch (3) is disposed behind a stop (10) of the rod (9) of the key.

Illuminated key formed by the assembly of a key comprising a head and a rod (9), and a lamp comprising a light diode (12) and a battery (11), the key head being adapted to able to receive a housing (21) containing the battery (11) and on which the light diode (12) is mounted, characterized in that:

the lamp comprises a flat housing (21) enclosing the battery (11), on which the light diode (12) is mounted so as to project radially from this housing (21) in the plane of the key; stack being in the general shape of a wafer with a circular contour and extending in the thickness of the head of the key and axially in the direction of the thickness of the key,

- The head of the key comprises an opening, said through-light (1), delimited:

- by a generally main wall portion (5, 8) receiving the flat housing (21) enclosing the circular flat stack (11) extending in the thickness of the head of the key,

- and by a notch (13) projecting radially from said main wall portion (5, 8) in the plane of the key, and receiving the light diode (12) projecting radially from the housing (21). ) in the plane of the key.

8 / - Light key according to claim 7, characterized in that the flat housing (21) has a circular periphery, and in that said main wall portion (5, 8) of the through-light (1) accommodating the housing ( 21) is circular. 91- A light key according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the through-light (1) is provided so that a portion (30) peripheral of the key head defining a closed contour of the key head be kept. 10 / - Light key according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the housing (21) comprises walls (25) elastically deformable bending extending opposite and away from the electrodes of the stack (11) , and in that the housing (21) contains, for each electrode of the battery (11), at least one conductive terminal adapted to be brought into contact with this electrode, so as to form a manual activation mechanism of the lamp of the type in which the battery (11) has no permanent contact with an electrical conductor.

11 / - Light key according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that - the key has two opposite faces each having an edge, said edge (14) support, extending along the edge of the light (1 ) through,

- The housing (21) of the lamp containing the battery (11) comprises two peripheral overflows (7) each extending in excess of one of the edges (14) of support of the key.

12 / - light key according to claim 11, characterized in that the overflows (7) are adapted to clamp the thickness of the key between the edges (14) of support.

13 / - light key according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the housing (21) of the lamp comprising at least one peripheral edge (24) mounted in the through-light (1) by elastically mounting means deformable pins (4) and cavity (s) (6) conjugates receiving these pins.

14 / - Light key according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the housing comprises two half-shells (15, 16) conjugate, each covering one of two opposite faces of the stack (11), and joined at a junction (17) extending opposite said main wall portion (5, 8) delimiting the light (1). ) through.

15 / - Light key according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the source (12) of light is disposed behind the rod (9) of the key and extends in the axial direction of insertion of the stem (9).

16 / - Light key according to one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that the notch (3) is disposed behind a stopper (10) of the rod (9) of the key. 17 / - Light key according to one of claims 7 to 16, characterized in that the lamp is removably mounted on the key.