Key of the type used for operating locks and the like

Abstract

 The key (1) incorporates an identification element (7) enabling it to be identified at first sight from among other like keys. This key (1) has, formed at its head (3), at least one seat (4) for accommodating a rigid insert (7) to be fitted thereinto. The insert (7) may have any different colors and be apertured to enable the key (1) to be associated, for example, with a key holder.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a key of the type used for operating locks and the like.

[0002] It is common practice to keep together in one holder a number of keys of similar configuration, which may be difficult to individually identify within a conveniently short time.

[0003] Thus, the convenience of having a large number of similar keys in one key holder creates the inconvenience that any sought key may be mistaken by the user due to the presence of keys with like shapes and sizes in the same set.

[0004] To alleviate the problem, it is known to use keys individually which have, at a hole formed usually through their heads, a hooking means having associated therewith a tag, on which the user can write reference indicia to identify each key as belonging to specific locks.

[0005] The obvious disadvantage is that each tag must be read until the sought key is found.

[0006] Having the tags color coded only provides a partial solution to the problem because the user is still left with separate keys which cannot be held together in a single holder for convenience in carrying them.

[0007] Also known are identification elements which comprise a ring, usually formed from plastics, having a cutout at a section of their peripheral edge; the key blade is passed through said cutout and the ring fitted around the matingly shaped peripheral edge of the key head.

[0008] The ring color provides a means of identifying each key, but such rings are frequently accidentally broken or become dislodged from the key head, the required elasticity thereof restricting their use to keys having a mainly round-contoured head.

[0009] Also known are keys having a metal blade wherewith there is associated a head, made of a deformable plastic material and having a hole or seat for its association with other keys in a single holder.

[0010] The principal drawback of such prior key designs is that the head may be deformed upon the user turning the key, which factor usually restricts their use to motor vehicle locks, the particular material employed resulting, after a number of locking cycles, in the bridge defined in the key head by the hole for its association with a hooking means, usually of metal construction, in a key holder being broken.

[0011] It is the primary aim of this invention to obviate such prior disadvantages by providing a key which can be readily identified by its user.

[0012] Within the above aim, it is a further important object of this invention to provide a key which may be collated with other keys of like shape and size, and yet be readily identified by the user.

[0013] Another important object is to provide a key which combines, with the above-mentioned features, that of good rigidity of the head, while affording reduced overall cost of the same.

[0014] The above aim, and these and other objects to become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a key including a blade portion, at least partially adapted for insertion into a lock and having rigidly associated there­with at an extremity thereof a head portion, said key being characterized in that it further comprises at least one substantially rigid insert and has formed, at said head portion thereof, at least one seat adapted for accommodating said at least one substantially rigid insert associable therewith.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent from the following detailed description of a particular embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the key according to the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the key and insert, respectively;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a key having an insert associated therewith according to a further embodi­ment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a key and insert according to another aspect of the inven­tion.

[0016] With reference to the drawing figures, a key 1 has a blade 2 which will eventually be notched, cut, or similarly adapted by a locksmith or lock manufacturer, to fit a particular lock, and a head 3 which, in this par­ ticular exemplary embodiment, is of round shape.

[0017] Formed at the head 3 is a seat 4 the peripheral edges 5 whereof are partly shaped to extend substan­tially parallel to the corresponding edges of the head 3.

[0018] The seat 4 has, in fact, a first zone of substan­tially circular shape defining, along one chord, a second flat zone 6 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the blade 2.

[0019] Associated with the seat 4, preferably by means of injecting a plastic material, is an insert 7 which is, thereof, shaped to match the seat 4.

[0020] The insert 7 has stiffness characteristics which may be varied according to the material being used, there being formable therethrough an opening 8 adapted for associating the key with a hooking means rigid with a conventional key holder.

[0021] Thus, by virtue of the fact that the insert 7 is advantageously applied to the seat 4 by injecting a thermoplastic material, the insert 7 will be, therefore, rigidly associated with the head 3 of the key 1. Fur­thermore, it is possible to provide across its lateral or side surfaces 9 raised zones 10 which may be utilized for bearing inscriptions or numbers, as required.

[0022] Such surfaces may also have a knurled zone 11 effective to provide a more secure grip for the user.

[0023] Of course, each insert 7 may be made with one or more colors to identify fit from others applied to keys of similar types and shapes.

[0024] It has been thus shown that the invention achieves its aim and objects by providing a key which can be readily identified from others in the same set in a key holder, the use of plastics affording a reduction in the overall weight of the key at a zone, namely the key head, which is usually of substantial size, and therefore, adversely affects the key's overall cost.

[0025] Figure 4 shows in a different exemplary embodiment of this same inventive concept, a key 101, having a head 103 wherewith there is associated an insert 107 having an essentially parallelepipedal shape with chamfered corners.

[0026] On the remote end of the head 103 from the blade 102, there is formed a seat or opening 112 for asso­ciating the key with the hooking means of a key holder.

[0027] Likewise in Figure 5, there is shown another aspect of the invention, wherein a key 201 has an insert 207 made rigid with its head 203 which has an essentially parallelepipedal shape with a flat, advantageously raised side surface 209.

[0028] The head 203 also has, in this embodiment, a seat or opening 212 at its remote end from the blade 202 which enables the key to be associated with a key holder.

[0029] Of course, the insert may be of any shape and color, according to necessity.

[0030] Moreover, the insert and pre-arranged seat formed in the key head may define any dimensions, and the insert may be fitted into the seat in any suitable manner.

Claims

1. A key (1,101,201) including a blade (2,102,202) portion, at least partially adapted for insertion into a lock and having rigidly associated therewith, at an extremity thereof, a head (3,103,203) portion, said key being characterized in that it further comprises at least one substantially rigid insert 7,107,207) and has, formed at said head (3) portion thereof, at least one seat (4) adapted for accommodating said at least one substantially rigid insert (7,107,207) associable therewith.

2. A key (1,101,210) according to Claim 1, charac­terized in that said insert (7,107,207) is made of a plastic material heat injected into said seat (4) formed in the key (1,101,201) head (3,103,203).

3. A key (1,101,201) according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it has a substantially circular head (3) whereat there is formed a seat having a first zone (5) shaped to match the peripheral edges of said head (3) and a second flat zone (6) merging with the first, said second zone (6) extending perpendicularly to the longitu­dinal axis of the blade (2,102,202).

4. A key (1,101,201) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a seat (4) formed at the key (1,101,201) head (3,103,203), characterized in that there is associable therewith a rigid insert (7,107,207) shaped to match it, through said insert (7,107,207) there being formed a through opening (8,112,212) wherewith a hooking means of a conventional key holder is associable.

5. A key (1) according to one or more of the pre­ceding claims, comprising an insert (7), characterized in that it has formed on side surfaces (9) thereof raised zones (10) adapted for bearing the inscription of data.

6. A key (101) according to one or more of the pre­ceding claims, characterized in that it has an insert (107) of essentially parallelepipedal shape with cham­fered corners, in the head (103), at a portion thereof remote from the blade (102) there being formed an opening (112) for a hooking means of a conventional key holder.

7. A key (201) according to one or more of the pre­ceding claims, characterized in that it has an insert (207) of essentially parallelepipedal shape provided with at least one flat raised zone (209) on the surface thereof, and at a portion of said insert (207) remote from the blade (202) there being formed an opening (212) for a hooking means of a conventional key holder.

8. A key (1,101,201) according to Claim 5, charac­terized in that said insert (7,107,207) further com­prises a knurled zone (11) formed on at least one surface thereof for facilitating gripping by the user.

Drawing