GB2311806A

GB2311806A - Key head identifiers

Info

Publication number: GB2311806A
Application number: GB9607046A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dani Markbreit
Original assignee: Mul T Lock Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Mul T Lock Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 1996-04-03
Filing date: 1996-04-03
Publication date: 1997-10-08
Also published as: DE29606283U1; GB9607046D0

Abstract

This invention discloses a key head including first and second generally planar surfaces 14,16; the key head bearing at least one indicia 24 which is operative both to enable the first and second generally planar surfaces to be distinguished from each other and to enable the key head to be distinguished from other key heads. The indica may be colour coded, removable, and raised from the key head surface. The hole 21 engaged by the indica element 24 may comprise bores of differing section/diameter.

Description

The present invention relates to keys and key heads generally.

A great variety of key heads are known, including metal key heads which are integrally formed as one piece with a metal key blank and plastic key heads which are injection molded.

Israel Patent 67607 of the present applicant/assignee proposes differentiation opposite sides of a key head by placing a protrusion on one side and not on the other or by coloring opposite sides of a key head differently.

It is also known to distinguish keys with identically shaped key heads from each other by color coding the key heads, such as by employing colored plastic inserts in metal key heads.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved key head which is operable both for distinguishing between opposite sides of a key head and for distinguishing identically shaped key heads from each other.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a key head including first and second generally planar surfaces1 the key head bearing indicia which are operative both to enable the first and second generally planar surfaces to be distinguished from each other and to enable the key head to be distinguished from other key heads.

There is additionally provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a key having first and second generally planar key surfaces which are configured differently and a key head including first and second generally planar key head surfaces, the key head bearing indicia which are operative both to enable the first and second generally planar key head surfaces to be distinguished from each other and to enable the key head to be distinguished from other key heads.

Preferably the indicia is operative to enable the first and second generally planar key head surfaces to be distinguished both visually and tactily.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a key head including a generally planar body having opposite first and second generally planar surfaces, the generally planar body having formed therein a bore extending from said first generally planar surface to said second generally planar surface, the sections of the bore meeting the first and second generally planar surfaces being of different configurations, such that they can be distinguished visually and tactily.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the key head also comprises a plug which is removably inserted in one of the sections of the bore.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plug is color coded to visually distinguish the key head.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a key blank including a key head as described hereinabove. The key blank may be formed integrally with the key head, typically of metal or alternatively, the key head may be separate from the remainder of the key and may be made of a different material.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a key including a key head as described hereinabove. The key blank may be formed integrally with the key head, typically of metal or alternatively, the key head may be separate from the remainder of the key and may be made of a different material.

The key may define two different combinations on two opposite sides thereof. In this embodiment, the difference in the configuration of the bore on opposite sides of the head, or the presence of a plug at only one side of the key head provides both visible and tactile indications to a user of which side of the key he is inserting into a lock.

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a pictorial partially exploded view illustration of a key constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional illustration of the key of Fig. 1 taken along lines II - II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a pictorial partially exploded view illustration of a key constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a sectional illustration of the key of Fig. 3 taken along lines IV - IV in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a partial sectional illustration of the removal of a plug from a bore in a key head in accordance with the present invention; Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are illustrations of a plurality of key heads including differently colored plugs in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figs. 7A and 7B are illustrations of opposite sides of a key bearing different combinations on opposite sides thereof.

Reference is now made to Figs. 1 and 2, which illustrate a key constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The key comprises a shank portion 10 and a key head portion 12. The shank portion 10 is typically formed of metal while the key head portion 12 is formed of plastic. The key head portion 12 is formed with first and second generally planar surfaces 14 and 16.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the key head portion 12 is formed with a bore 18 which extends between first and second generally planar surfaces 14 and 16. Preferably bore 18 is formed with three sections 20, 21 and 22 having different configurations. For example section 22 may be of significantly larger cross sectional area than bore section 20. Alternatively or additionally, the cross sectional shapes of the bore sections made differ from one another. Alternatively the bore may have a greater or lesser number of sections than that shown.

It is a particular advantage of a key head, key blank and key constructed to have a bore with at least two sections as described hereinabove, that when the key is formed with different combinations on the opposite sides thereof, the user can readily distinguish between the opposite sides thereof both visually and by feel. This is illustrated clearly in Figs. 7A and 7B which illustrate opposite sides of a key of the type shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, which bears opposite combinations on opposite sides thereof.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention removable color coded plugs 24 are provided for insertion into bore section 22, thereby to provide additional visual and tactile criteria for distinguishing opposite sides of a key, as well as providing a visual indication for distinguishing individual keys from one another. The plug 24 may protrude somewhat from the generally planar surface 14 of the key head portion 12.

Reference is now made to Figs. 3 and 4, which illustrate a key constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention. Here the key comprises an integrally formed one piece key made of metal, having a shank portion 30 and a key head portion 32. The key is formed with first and second generally planar surfaces 34 and 36.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the key head portion 32 is formed with a bore 38 which extends between first and second generally planar surfaces 34 and 36. Preferably bore 38 is formed with three sections 40, 41 and 42 having different configurations. For example section 42 may be of significantly larger cross sectional area than bore section 40. Alternatively or additionally, the cross sectional shapes of the bore sections made differ from one another.

As described hereinabove in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, it is a particular advantage of a key head, key blank and key constructed as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to have a bore with two or more sections as described hereinabove, that when the key is formed with different combinations on the opposite sides thereof, the user can readily distinguish between the opposite sides thereof both visually and by feel.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention removable color coded plugs 44 are provided for insertion into bore section 42, thereby to provide additional visual and tactile criteria for distinguishing opposite sides of a key, as well as providing a visual indication for distinguishing individual keys from one another.

Fig. 5 illustrates the use of a simple tool 46 for removing plug from bore 18 in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2.

Figs. 6A - 6D illustrate the use of different colored plugs 56 to distinguish different key heads and keys from each other.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A key head including first and second generally planar surfaces, the key head bearing indicia which are operative both to enable the first and second generally planar surfaces to be distinguished from each other and to enable the key head to be distinguished from other key heads.
2. A key having first and second generally planar key surfaces which are configured differently and a key head including first and second generally planar key head surfaces, the key head bearing indicia which are operative both to enable the first and second generally planar key head surfaces to be distinguished from each other and to enable the key head to be distinguished from other key heads.
3. A key blank having first and second generally planar key surfaces which are adapted to be configured differently and a key head including first and second generally planar key head surfaces, the key head bearing indicia which are operative both to enable the first and second generally planar key head surfaces to be distinguished from each other and to enable the key head to be distinguished from other key heads.
4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said indicia is operative to enable the first and second generally planar key head surfaces to be distinguished both visually and tactily.
5. A key head including a generally planar body having opposite first and second generally planar surfaces, the generally planar body having formed therein a bore extending from said first generally planar surface to said second generally planar surface and including a plurality of sections, the sections of the bore meeting the first and second generally planar surfaces being of different configurations, such that they can be distinguished visually and tactily.
6. A key head according to claim 5 and also comprising a plug which is inserted in one of the sections of the bore.
7. A key head according to claim 5 and also comprising a plug which is removably inserted in one of the sections of the bore.
8. A key head according to either of claims 6 and 7 and wherein the plug is color coded to visually distinguish the key head.
9. A key blank including a generally planar body having opposite first and second generally planar surfaces, the generally planar body having formed therein a bore extending from said first generally planar surface to said second generally planar surface and including a plurality of sections, the sections of the bore meeting the first and second generally planar surfaces being of different configurations, such that they can be distinguished visually and tactily.
10. A key blank according to claim 9 and also comprising a plug which is inserted in one of the sections of the bore.
11. A key blank according to claim 9 and also comprising a plug which is removably inserted in one of the sections of the bore.
12. A key blank according to either of claims 10 and 11 and wherein the plug is color coded to visually distinguish the key head.
13. A key blank according to any of claims 9 - 12 and wherein the key blank includes a shank portion and a key head portion formed integrally as a single piece
14. A key blank according to any of claims 9 - 12 and wherein the key blank includes a shank portion and a key head portion formed as separate pieces of disparate materials.
15. A key including a generally planar body having opposite first and second generally planar surfaces, the generally planar body having formed therein a bore extending from said first generally planar surface to said second generally planar surface and including a plurality of sections, the sections of the bore meeting the first and second generally planar surfaces being of different configurations, such that they can be distinguished visually and tactily.
16. A key according to claim 15 and also comprising a plug which is inserted in one of the sections of the bore.
17. A key according to claim 16 and also comprising a plug which is removably inserted in one of the sections of the bore.
18. A key according to either of claims 16 and 17 and wherein the plug is color coded to visually distinguish the key head.
19. A key according to any of claims 15 - 18 and wherein the key includes a shank portion and a key head portion formed integrally as a single piece.
20. A key according to any of claims 15 - 18 and wherein the key includes a shank portion and a key head portion formed as separate pieces of disparate materials.
21. A key according to any of claims 15 - 20 and having two different combinations on two opposite sides thereof.
22. A key according to claim 21 and wherein the difference in the configuration of the bore on opposite sides of the key head provides both visible and tactile indications to a user of which side of the key he is inserting into a lock.
23. A key according to claim 21 and wherein the presence of a plug at only one side of the key head provides both visible and tactile indications to a user of which side of the key he is inserting into a lock.