(19)
(11) EP 0 778 384 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
26.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/30

(43) Date of publication A2:
11.06.1997 Bulletin 1997/24

(21) Application number: 96308615.2

(22) Date of filing: 28.11.1996
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E05B 49/00, E05B 47/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 06.12.1995 JP 31837595
08.10.1996 JP 26754796

(71) Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
Chiba-shi, Chiba 261 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Yamazaki, Kou
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)
  • Inoue, Tatsunori
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)
  • Kasuga, Masao
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)
  • Suzuki, Kenji
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)
  • Nirasawa, Syouji
    Chiba-shi, Chiba (JP)

(74) Representative: Sturt, Clifford Mark et al
Miller Sturt Kenyon 9 John Street
London WC1N 2ES
London WC1N 2ES (GB)

   


(54) Electronic key


(57) A lock mechanism 1 is composed of a locking lever 112, a support pin 204, a spring 203, and a slide button 111. A locking part 2 is composed of an actuator 201 and a stopper 202. A power source part 3 is composed of an electric cell 131 and a cell holder 132. At least two components out of the three components which are the lock mechanism 1, the locking part 2, and the power source part 3 are arranged at positions where they do not overlap each other. By adopting a configuration where a key switch 4 for inputting a code number and the like sectionally overlaps at least one component out of the lock mechanism 1, the locking part 2, and the power source part 3, it is possible to implement a small-sized and thin-type electronic key which can be easily locked and unlocked and can make its electric cell longer in life even in case of keeping the electronic key in either of a locked state or an unlocked state for a long time.






Search report