Patent Application
20060090528
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This invention relates to devices for use in connection with keys such as those typically used for operating residential and commercial door locks, car locks and car ignitions, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a system for ornamenting that portion of a key commonly known as the head, the bow, or the tab.
Keys, as commonly used for operating locks installed on doors and for operating automobiles, are ubiquitous and come in many types, but generally are unadorned and have quite similar appearances. The relatively similar and generic appearance of keys often results in delays in ascertaining the correct key for a lock when there are more than a few keys on a keychain or other key holder. Difficulty in locating a particular key results in wasted time and needless frustration, and can also jeopardize safety.
In the marketplace, although there are a number of add-on devices for differentiating keys, there is little available in terms of design-oriented or fashionable key designs. Some design-conscious consumers desire keys that are stylish, are unique, and that satisfy their need for self-expression. However, due to how often it is necessary to change keys due to changing of locks, moving residences, or changing vehicles, there is a disincentive to purchase anything but inexpensive, unadorned keys. That is because the average consumer would not want to pay a premium for an ornamented key that would eventually have to be discarded when the consumer moved residences, changed door locks or bought a new car. For ornamented key styles to be economically practical from a consumer's perspective, there is a need for a mechanism and system to provide for interchangeability of the key or the key blade from the ornamented key part, so that the ornamented key part can be kept indefinitely and fitted with new blades.
Several types of multi-part or hinged ornamental tab devices have been proposed, in which a key with a standard type key head is enveloped by a hinged or box-like case, or sandwiched between plates. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,002 proposes a number of configurations of a two-part or hinged case that envelops a standard tabbed key. That design relies on intake walls, or sponge-like inserts, to lock the shaft in place so as to prevent rotary movement of the shaft relative to the case. Consequently, if the key used is of a thickness that is less than the opening in the peripheral wall of the case, there could be undesired displacement or play between the shaft and the case. Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,349,975, 4,102,166, and 2,759,280 disclose variants of a sandwich-construction key bow cover, which although utilitarian for means of providing enhanced identification capabilities for keys, fall short of providing a refined aesthetic finish to a key. Other multi-piece constructions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,901,548, 5,383,345, and 6,651,470, which require relatively complicated construction, and have limited flexibility for the shape, ornamentation, and interchangeability of the key head.
Shortcomings of prior key systems may be overcome with an embodiment of the present invention.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel interchangeable ornamented key system, whereby a key head is capable of interchangeably accepting a variety of key blank profiles and configurations, thereby enhancing the aesthetic and fashionable appearance of a key, and upgrading the perceived quality and uniqueness of a key.
One embodiment of the present key system has a non-spheroidal head, where the head includes a front surface and a back surface, a side surface that spans the periphery, a top end, a bottom end that is opposite the top end, a cavity in either the front or the back surface, and an opening in the side surface, at the bottom end, connecting to the cavity. The key system also includes a blank having a blade at a distal end and a projection at a proximal end; where the blade is adapted for insertion into a lock, and at least a portion of the projection is adapted for insertion into the cavity. The key system also includes means for removably connecting the blank and the head together, such that the blank is generally fixed relative to the head when the two are connected. Faceplates, or medallions, may be attached to the front and back surfaces for ornamental enhancement of the system.
The head 12 is shown having a single-piece construction with an obverse face 18, a reverse face 20 facing opposite the front, a top end 22, and a bottom end 24 opposite the top. In the configuration of the head depicted, a side surface 26 spans the periphery of the head and is generally disposed between the obverse and the reverse faces. The obverse face 18 of the head is fashioned with a cavity 28. The cavity generally provides access for attaching the blank 14 and the collar 16 to the head 12. An opening 30 in side surface 26 connects to the cavity. Within the cavity is a slot 32 to receive a portion of blank 14 for attachment. The head can be formed in various utilitarian shapes and configurations, particularly non-spheroidal shapes that promote enhanced gripping and provide reduced volume and bulk. The head can be made from any suitable materials, including metal, alloy, wood, glass, stone, plastic, resin, enamel, composite, fiber-reinforced material, rubber, ivory, bone, leather, any other suitable natural or man-made material, or any combination of materials. Although the faces themselves can be configured to have any desired design, image, or texture, the preferred ornamentation of the system is decorative faceplates 34, or medallions, that may be attached to the faces 18 and 20. These faceplates may be of virtually any shape (typically matching the shape of the key face to which they attach), and may have any type of pattern, design, texture, indicia, or advertising. The faceplates not only add ornamentation, potential for customization, and an element of style to the key system, but also, especially on the obverse face 18, serve to cover the cavity, the exposed attachment mechanisms, and any other void. The side surface of the key head can also be ornamented, and can be configured to have raised markings that help a user to orient the key in low-light conditions.
The blank 14 is configured to be removably attachable to the head. The blank has a proximal end 36 and a distal end 38. The proximal end includes a projection 40, which is designed to fit within the collar 16 and, in this embodiment, to extend through the collar and fit through opening 30 and within slot 32. The distal end comprises a conventional key blade 42, which is the portion of a key that engages the lock. The blade portion can have any desired profile, configuration or features, including but not limited to, the profiles and configurations found on the blades of the most common brands of commercial key blanks found in the marketplace, such as those sold by Kwikset, Schlage, and Titan. The blank shown also includes a shoulder 44, positioned between the proximal and distal ends, which is a common component of many keys to properly position the blade within a lock.
To attach key blank 14 to key head 12, projection 40 may be inserted through opening 30, and butted into slot 32. Projection 40 may then be attached to the base 46 of the slot by any suitable means, including fasteners and adhesives. In utilizing fasteners, projection 40 may be fashioned with one or more apertures 48 (shown with two), and base 46 of the slot would have matching female-threaded receiving holes 50, such that when the projection is inserted fully into slot 32, projection holes 48 align with receiving holes 50. Fasteners 52, shown as screws, may then be inserted through holes 48 and screwed into receiving holes 50. The design is such that installed key blanks may be easily removed and replaced by new blanks with simple tools. Note that slot 32 could be fashioned in any shape, including that of a round or rectangular key head shape that could accept a conventional key blank. Note also that if the key blank is designed with a projection 40 that has a portion that is wider than opening 30 (such as the round key head shape mentioned above), the system can be assembled by inserting the blade portion through opening 30 from the inside of the cavity.
Although the key system is fully operable with only the blank attached to the head, a collar 16 may be slipped over the attached key blank 14, and fastened to head 12 to contribute to a more refined and stylistic design, and to add further attachment options. The collar can have a variety of shapes and configurations. The collar is shown in
Collar 16 may be configured so that it may be attached to the head with fasteners that are either visible or hidden. The configuration shown in
Following the attachment of the key blank to the head, and the optional attachment of the collar, faceplates 34 can be attached to the faces of the head, which serve to provide ornamentation and customization to the key head, as well as to hide the cavity and attachment mechanisms on the obverse side of the head, and any voids that may be fashioned on the reverse side.
When a user of the key system needs to change their key for whatever reason (such as moving residences, changing their locks, etc.), the key system 10 allows for a new key blank to be installed, while allowing the user to keep and re-use their key head. The faceplate from the obverse side may be removed, followed by removal of the collar 16 and the blank 14 from the head 12. A new key blank can then be attached to the head. Therefore, the key system allows a user to customize their key head and not lose the investment in the head or the sentimental value that may be attached to the head.
The collar and the key head do not interfere with the ability of a locksmith to cut the key blank. The key blank, according to the present invention, may be cut by a locksmith in either the pre-mounted state or after the key blank has been installed into the key system, using most currently available commercial key cutting machines. Note that for a key blank configured with a shoulder intended to be used with a collar, key blank 14 should be constructed and mounted so that shoulder 44 extends even to or past the end of collar neck 54, so that the cutting of the key will not be impaired and the key will be fully operable in a lock.
Note that the faceplate on the open, obverse face 18 of head 12 will be affixed after the key blank and collar have been secured to the key head. The faceplate on the obverse side covers access to the mechanism attaching the blank to the head, and so would be removed each time that the key blank is changed. Therefore an attachment mechanism that is convenient to remove is most appropriate for this faceplate. The faceplate that is affixed to the reverse side of the key head will only need to be removed if an owner should decide to change the ornamentation of the key head, and thus may be attached to the head by a method that is less easily removable than that used for the obverse face.
As noted previously, the key system 10 can be beneficially used without a collar.
In addition to the specific features and embodiments described above, it is understood that the present invention includes all equivalents to the structures and features described herein, and is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example, the shapes and configurations of the collar and the projection, as well as the slot and the opening, can be easily varied to suit users' preferences. A number of the specific means disclosed for achieving a removable attachment between the blank and the head, the blank and the collar, and the collar and the head, can likewise be varied to include all known types of fasteners, clamps, adhesives, and other suitable combinations of devices and methods that can be used to achieve the desired attachment. The same flexibility for practicing the invention is true with respect to the particular materials and amount of materials used to construct the various portions of the system. Moreover, additional features can be added to the key system, such as including key ring attachments or apertures in the head to allow the key system to be placed on the user's key ring, or incorporating electronic chips or mechanisms, such as ignition transponder or anti-theft components for automobiles. Accordingly, individuals skilled in the art to which the present key system pertains will understand that variations and modifications to the embodiments described can be used beneficially without departing from the scope of the invention.
