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EP1088953A1 - A blade ejection/retraction mechanism particularly for a lock key blade and a key case including such mechanism - Google Patents

A blade ejection/retraction mechanism particularly for a lock key blade and a key case including such mechanism Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1088953A1
EP1088953A1 EP00500204A EP00500204A EP1088953A1 EP 1088953 A1 EP1088953 A1 EP 1088953A1 EP 00500204 A EP00500204 A EP 00500204A EP 00500204 A EP00500204 A EP 00500204A EP 1088953 A1 EP1088953 A1 EP 1088953A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blade
ejection
retraction mechanism
key
locking devices
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00500204A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
José Carlos de Medeiros
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Valeo Sistemas Automotivos Ltda
Original Assignee
Valeo do Brasil Comercio e Participacao Ltda
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valeo do Brasil Comercio e Participacao Ltda filed Critical Valeo do Brasil Comercio e Participacao Ltda
Publication of EP1088953A1 publication Critical patent/EP1088953A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
    • A45C11/32—Bags or wallets for holding keys
    • A45C11/327—Bags or wallets for holding keys with sliding keys
    • A45C11/328—Bags or wallets for holding keys with sliding keys comprising a sliding mechanism
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B19/00—Keys; Accessories therefor
    • E05B19/04—Construction of the bow or head of the key; Attaching the bow to the shank
    • E05B19/046—Construction of the bow or head of the key; Attaching the bow to the shank the shank being slidingly mounted on the bow, e.g. for storage

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a blade ejection/retraction mechanism, particularly for a lock key blade, especially a key blade for an ignition key or a key used in doors of automotive vehicles.
  • a device including a blade ejection/retraction mechanism, wherein the blade itself is a lock key blade, and more particularly, such as used in connection with an ignition key and/or a door lock key for an automotive vehicle.
  • the present invention is aimed at providing a blade ejection/retraction mechanism, particularly for a lock key blade, characterized by having a simple structure, that may be built with a small size and providing an extremely reliable operating mode.
  • the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention is intended for an entirely distinct application from the predictable applications thereof according to the state of the art, although the underlying concept therein is well suited for such use.
  • Another object of the invention consists in providing a blade ejection/retraction mechanism, wherein the blade may be ejected and retracted, respectively, by means of a short course of displacement of the actuating handle, allowing the use of substantially small force to be applied by the user upon the handle in order to actuate the mechanism.
  • the ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention notwithstanding the smoothness of its operation and the short operating course thereof, warrants an efficient and fail proof operation both for the blade ejection and for the blade retraction.
  • a blade ejection/retraction mechanism substantially comprised of a supporting block having a passageway and locking devices provided laterally to the passageway, a blade slidingly housed in the passageway and provided with latching means to cooperate with the lateral locking devices, a striker plate slidingly housed in the supporting block and provided with lock release elements also provided to cooperate with the lateral locking devices, a tension element prestressed between the blade and the striker plate, the latter being movable from a first position, wherein the lateral locking devices keep the blade retracted, to a second position, wherein the lock release elements interact with the lateral locking devices, causing the blade to be ejected, and in the opposite sense of the striker plate motion, from a second position to a first position causing the blade to be retracted.
  • the blade ejection/retraction mechanism with the above characteristics has a very simple structure due to comprising only a few parts that interact with each other with remarkable precision, thus providing a remarkable level of reliability. Furthermore, there has been obtained for the first time a mechanism with such small number of parts, but able to produce both the ejection and the retraction of the blade with a single handling element and using one single tension element.
  • the passageway in the supporting block may exhibit a cross section substantially in the shape of an inverted "T" forming the housing for the blade.
  • the blade may be perfectly guided along the passageway, in order to be able to slide perfectly and with precision along the passageway, thus excluding the possibility of the blade getting stuck upon the mechanism being actuated.
  • the lateral locking devices include lateral cutouts in the supporting block intercepting the passageway and combined blade springs, the respective ends thereof projecting into the respective cutouts to provide obstructions to the displacement of the blade, and preferably, the latching means may be embodied in the form of at least a notch in the blade, while the lock releasing elements may include lugs similar to cams, formed in the striker plate and respectively associated with the blade springs.
  • the tension element is configured as a helical spring.
  • the blade is formed as a key blade, particularly a key used in a door and/or the ignition of an automotive vehicle.
  • the blade ejection/retraction mechanism may be built into the key box of an automotive vehicle in order to constitute a portable assembly or case for the keys of a vehicle, and may optionally include other devices related to the vehicle's operation and/or alarm system
  • Figure 1 there is illustrated an exploded view, in perspective, of all the parts that integrate the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention. These components are shown separately above one another, in their approximate assembly position, in order to provide a better illustration and understanding of the basic structure and mutual cooperation thereof.
  • the blade ejection/retraction mechanism includes a supporting block substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped with length substantially greater than the other dimensions, in order to constitute an elongate body.
  • the supporting block is split lengthwise in two parts, forming a lower supporting block part 1, hereinafter simply referred as supporting block and designated by the reference numeral 1, and an upper block part, hereinafter simply referred as block cover and designated by the reference numeral 2.
  • the block cover 2 is attached to the supporting block 1 by means of capscrews 3, which are made to pass through bores 4 in the apex region of the block cover 2 and are screwed into corresponding threaded bores 5 in the supporting block 1, therefore providing, in the assembled state, the substantial shape of a parallelepiped.
  • this attachment may also be achieved using any adequate fasteners known in the art, for example, by welding, riveting, etc..
  • the supporting block 1 is a part preferentially made of metal, which is finely machined to provide the dimensionally tight fit and operationally perfect interaction of the other mechanism components, as well as to withstand the stresses that are established upon the operation thereof.
  • the supporting block 1 includes a through passage 6, which configuration is symmetrical to a vertical plane extending centrally and along the greater dimension thereof. More precisely, viewed in cross section, the through passage 6 has the shape of an inverted "T", the horizontal leg of the inverted “T” constituting the through passage itself, with approximately rectangular cross section, while the vertical leg of the inverted “T” is formed by a continuous slit 8 with open top and extending centrally along the entire length of the supporting block 1.
  • a blade 7, intended to be ejected and retracted, is slidingly inserted in the through passage 6.
  • the blade 7 used is a key blade for locks of any type, and most preferably, for door locks and/or ignition cylinders of automotive vehicles.
  • the blade 7 is a key blade for a conventional lock, having a section which should be provided with a combination tumbler mechanism, and an adjacent upper section. In this adjacent upper section, the blade 7 is provided with a notch 7', the function whereof shall be described below.
  • the supporting block 1 is shaped in order to have two contiguous upper flanks 9, extending longitudinally along the length of the supporting block 1 and separated from one another by the slit 8. These longitudinal upper flanks 9 are machined in order to define apex protrusions for attachment of the cited block cover 2, as well as recesses adequate for receiving and supporting other components of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism according to the invention, which will be described below.
  • the upper portion of the supporting block 1 is recessed approximately at the central region thereof, and the upper surfaces of the upper longitudinal flanks 9 form, adjacent to the slit, a respective longitudinal sliding surface.
  • the supporting block 1 is provided at each lateral flank thereof with a transversal cutout 10 that opens into the passageway 6.
  • the transversal cutouts 10 are offset longitudinally from one another and are located in approximately symmetrical positions diagonally in respect of the length of the supporting block 1.
  • each transversal cutout 10 there is associated a blade spring 11.
  • the blade springs 11 are, on one hand, embedded in a respective upper longitudinal flank 9 of the supporting block 1 and extend for a certain length along the supporting block 1.
  • the free end of each blade spring 11 is angled in the shape of an "L", and the free end extends into the respective transversal cutout 10.
  • the blade springs 11 are always positioned inside the respective transversal cutouts 10, and therefore, the passageway 6, thus forming respective obstructions inside the passageway 6 to the displacement of the blade 7 and to delimit a course corresponding approximately to the longitudinal offset between the transversal cutouts 10.
  • a course limiting recess 12 having a longitudinal length indicated by the letter c, and provided adjacent to one of the protrusions for attachment of the block cover 2.
  • the blade ejection/retraction mechanism also included a striker plate designated by the reference numeral 13, that is depicted in Figure 1 above the supporting block 1 approximately in projection from its assembled position.
  • the striker plate 13 consists, in the current embodiment, of a pressed piece of metal plate, substantially flat and dimensioned to be installed, enabling the sliding thereof, on the longitudinal upper flanks 9 and over the slit 8 of the supporting block 1. It has a substantially rectangular elongate shape, adapted to be able to be received slidingly in a reciprocating longitudinal motion, in the upper cavity in the supporting block 1.
  • the striker plate 13 is further provided with a first projection 14, which is bent upwards at a right angle and forms an actuating lever to operate the blade ejection/retraction mechanism.
  • the actuating lever 14 passes through an oblong opening in the block cover 2 and is provided with an actuating handle 15, which both provides an aesthetically pleasant finish and facilitates the operation of the mechanism.
  • the striker plate 13 is provided with a second transversal protrusion 16, located in the same horizontal plane of the striker plate 13, where in the assembled state of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism, the same is received at the course delimiting recess 12 in order to delimit the course of actuation of the operating handle 14, upon being operated by the user, and therefore, the course of the striker plate 13 between two actuation positions to the same length of the course limiting recess 12.
  • These actuation positions correspond to a first position wherein the blade 7 is retracted and an ejection position thereof.
  • the striker plate 13 is also configured with two lugs shaped as cams in opposite edges, located approximately in diagonal symmetry relative to the longitudinal length of the striker plate 13, each one of these being able to be associated to a respective blade spring 11, in order to move the same outwards for the purpose of freeing the obstruction of the blade 7, as will be described in further detail below.
  • the striker plate 13 is configured with a front end in the shape of a fork 19 and a rear end in the shape of a fork 19', that are placed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the striker plate 13.
  • a tension element in the present example of embodiment comprising a helical spring 20, is attached between the front end 19 of the striker plate 13 and the key blade 7, in order to be always prestressed between these components.
  • the attachment of the spring 20, on one hand, to the striker plate 13, is provided by means of a front fastening prong 21, that is made to fit in the fork-shaped front end 19 of the striker plate 13, and on the other hand, its attachment to the key blade 7 is provided by means of a rear fastening prong 21', that grips the rear edge of the key blade 7, such that the said key blade 7 is subject to the tension applied by the helical spring 20.
  • Figure 2 there is shown a first operating position of the blade ejection/retraction device, i.e., with the blade 7 retracted, while Figure 3 shows a second operating position of the blade ejection/retraction device, i.e., with the blade 7 ejected.
  • Figures 2 and 3 are front views of the blade ejection/retraction mechanism, respectively depicting the blade 7 when retracted and the blade 7 when ejected.
  • the blade 7 is completely housed within the through passage 6 of the supporting block 1, that is, in the retracted position, and is prestressed by the helical spring 20, which applies a pressure to the same in the direction of ejection thereof.
  • the blade 7 is retained by the end of the blade spring 11 (lower blade spring in Figure 2), entering the notch 7' of the key blade 7, thus forming a sort of detent or obstruction to the movement thereof.
  • the mechanism is easy to actuate, and the operation thereof is smooth and reliable. No handling or contact of the user with the blade 7 are required. Furthermore, the mechanism is unique in that it is extremely versatile and may be used for a multiplicity of applications.
  • FIGS 4 and 5 depict one of the preferred applications of the present invention. These figures are perspective views of a box or case for the keys of an automotive vehicle wherein the blade ejection/retraction mechanism is integrated, the blade being shown retracted in Figure 4 and the key blade 7 being shown ejected in Figure 5.
  • the case may include the ejection/retraction mechanism wherein the blade is an ignition key or a key used for the doors of a vehicle.
  • the case may be produced with small dimensions, in order to comprise a portable set of keys for a vehicle, and thus serve as a key fob.
  • the key case may optionally include other devices pertaining to the operation and/or the alarm system of the vehicle.

Landscapes

  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Knives (AREA)
EP00500204A 1999-09-30 2000-09-25 A blade ejection/retraction mechanism particularly for a lock key blade and a key case including such mechanism Withdrawn EP1088953A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BR9905598A BR9905598A (pt) 1999-09-30 1999-09-30 Mecanismo de ejeção/retração de lâmina, em particular de lâmina de chave de fechadura e estojo de chave incluindo tal mecanismo
BR9905598 1999-09-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1088953A1 true EP1088953A1 (en) 2001-04-04

Family

ID=4074149

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00500204A Withdrawn EP1088953A1 (en) 1999-09-30 2000-09-25 A blade ejection/retraction mechanism particularly for a lock key blade and a key case including such mechanism

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1088953A1 (pt)
BR (1) BR9905598A (pt)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2374278A (en) * 2001-03-21 2002-10-16 John Marlog A holder for slidably retaining a key
FR2833637A1 (fr) * 2001-12-18 2003-06-20 Valeo Securite Habitacle Cle a tige escamotable
FR2841282A1 (fr) 2002-06-24 2003-12-26 Valeo Securite Habitacle Cle perfectionnee a panneton escamotable
FR2841283A1 (fr) * 2002-06-24 2003-12-26 Valeo Securite Habitacle Cle a panneton escamotable
WO2011069168A2 (en) * 2009-12-04 2011-06-09 West|280, Incorporated Case for handheld devices with one or more integral tools

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107143210A (zh) * 2017-07-19 2017-09-08 曾斌 具有照明功能的弹出式钥匙

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2690666A (en) * 1952-05-07 1954-10-05 Engel Morris Key holder
US3137157A (en) * 1962-09-06 1964-06-16 Ralton Theodore Key holder
US3427834A (en) * 1967-08-09 1969-02-18 Dominick J Tutino Key holder and ejector
WO1985002983A1 (fr) * 1984-01-03 1985-07-18 Reynold Bachmann Porte-clefs ou boite a clefs a sortie frontale des clefs

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2690666A (en) * 1952-05-07 1954-10-05 Engel Morris Key holder
US3137157A (en) * 1962-09-06 1964-06-16 Ralton Theodore Key holder
US3427834A (en) * 1967-08-09 1969-02-18 Dominick J Tutino Key holder and ejector
WO1985002983A1 (fr) * 1984-01-03 1985-07-18 Reynold Bachmann Porte-clefs ou boite a clefs a sortie frontale des clefs

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2374278A (en) * 2001-03-21 2002-10-16 John Marlog A holder for slidably retaining a key
GB2374278B (en) * 2001-03-21 2005-09-28 John Marlog Improvements to key covers
FR2833637A1 (fr) * 2001-12-18 2003-06-20 Valeo Securite Habitacle Cle a tige escamotable
EP1321608A1 (fr) * 2001-12-18 2003-06-25 Valeo Securite Habitacle Clé à tige escamotable
FR2841282A1 (fr) 2002-06-24 2003-12-26 Valeo Securite Habitacle Cle perfectionnee a panneton escamotable
FR2841283A1 (fr) * 2002-06-24 2003-12-26 Valeo Securite Habitacle Cle a panneton escamotable
EP1375789A1 (fr) * 2002-06-24 2004-01-02 Valeo Sécurité Habitacle Clé à panneton escamotable
EP1375788A1 (fr) * 2002-06-24 2004-01-02 Valeo Sécurité Habitacle Clé perfectionnée à panneton escamotable
EP1895079A1 (fr) * 2002-06-24 2008-03-05 Valeo Securite Habitacle Clé à panneton escamotable
WO2011069168A2 (en) * 2009-12-04 2011-06-09 West|280, Incorporated Case for handheld devices with one or more integral tools
WO2011069168A3 (en) * 2009-12-04 2011-10-27 West|280, Incorporated Case for handheld devices with one or more integral tools

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR9905598A (pt) 2001-07-03

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