US2201127A - Key and keyhole illumination - Google Patents

Description

May 14 1940 P. scHEcHTER 2,201,127.

KEY AND KEYHOLE ILLUMINATION Filed March 8, 1959 INVENTOR PH/Z/P 5CH .cf/refe BY /77 /.7

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 14, 194@ UNITED STATES n annui raren'r vori-*ice Application March 8,

1 Claim.

This invention relates generally to doors and more particularly to keys and their cooperative locks therefor and it is the purpose of this invention to provide means by which the key and keyhole and/or keyhole guard of a look can be illuminated to render them clearly visible in the dark, whereby to obviate the delay and annoyance attendant the eiort of searching for the keyhole in a darkened location.

Further objects are to so designate a key and keyhole with indicia that the correct corresponding operative positions thereof for insertion of the key in the juxtaposed hole are instantly obvious; to additionally mark a key or identication tag thereof with indicia to render the designa tion illuminated for identity when the key may be on a key board in a darkened location, etc.; to protect said illuminated indicia from Wearing off as caused by use in handling the key and keyhole; to provide means for removably fastening said indicia to said parts; and to provide a device of the class hereinafter referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, economical and easy to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing forming part thereof.

In the drawing,

Fig. .1 is an elevation View of a key showing illuminated indicia thereon.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1, showing indicia on the edge thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross section view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a cross section view taken on line l--ll of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the forward end part of a key.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a lock showing a tumbler cylinder and guard therefor.

Fig, 7 is a fragmentary section view, taken on line I--l of Fig. 6, of a tumbler showing the key 1939, serial No. 260.486

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary view of the end of a key handle having indicia and cover and means for removably fastening same to the key.

Fig. 12 is a section view taken on line IZ-EZ of Fig. 1l.

Fig. 13 is a section view taken on line l3-I3 of Fig` ll, showing a method of removably fastening the removable indicia.

In the drawing this invention is shown for the purpose of illustration associated with a conventional cylinder lock lil, and key Si therefor. A keyhole I2 and shield guard I3 therefor is also conventionally illustrated. The lock I@ may have an outer plate mi, or escutcheon plate and may also have an outer tumbler plate It?, in any of which the outer keyhole slot portion may be formed.

I prefer to carve into said key I I, certain marks or indicia HI, which may generally correspond, if desired, with similar carved marks on the keyhole plate placed in close proximity with the keyhole. For example, I prefer to place an elongated groove III (see Figs. 2 and 5) as shown in shoulder face H2, or other part of said key which groove may be partially lled with an illuminating paint IM, or the like, which may be covered with a protective coat of transparent plastic or the like H5, having properties resisting wear thereof. It is seen that such groove is arranged to not interfere with the function of said shouln der I I2, in operating the key in the keyhole, the groove being beneath and occupying a small part of the lateral area of said upper shoulder face. It is noted that said upper face H2 enters only the upper cooperating portion IZI, of the slot I2 and thus this illumination is seen only from above by the operator when correctly inserting the key in the slot. The key is thus marked to aid in its correct and instant guidance into the slot. Particularly is this true if only the upper edge portion of the keyhole slot is correspondingly marked. This will tell the operator to place the illuminated edge or point of the key to abut the illuminated edge of the keyhole.

The markings may be of any kind and may be on any face or edge or part of the key as for instance shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 8a.; is shown a guard i3, having a ring ISI, which may house a removable protecting cover H5, kover the removable or non-removable illuminated paint I It. Fig. 9 shows such a ring, rousing a removable cover and removable indicia on a guard. Fig. 10 shows a method of gluing a transparent cover over a removable disc of indicia.

Fig. 11 shows a method of marking a key by mounting a removable sheet of indicia in a slot H1 in the key, the sheet H4, being greater in cross Width than the distance between the slots H1, so as to exibly hold itself in place as is understood by one skilled in the art. A Washer I I8, may be inserted in counterbore D to hold said indicia in place, the Washer being of the split type to flexibly expand to t the Wall of the counterbore. (See Fig. 13.)

A ring such as |3| may itself be so illuminated and removably aixed to I3, |02, or I0, or the outer circumferential edge of said members may be impressed with illuminating matter.

Parts may be used Without others and it is intended the disclosure is illustrative rather than limitative. i

`paint and covering materials being conned in said grooves, said indicia being marginal joining marks adapted to register with corresponding marks on the respective parts only when the parts are in correct relative position for entry of the key into the slot.

PHILIP SCHECHTER.

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