Patent Application
20120011908
The present invention relates generally to a key mechanism and more particularly to a key mechanism that allows for one-handed operation.
As will be readily appreciated, many known locking mechanisms are operated through the insertion and rotation of a key. Rotating disk style barrel locks, however, have a tendency to rotate along with the key during use making operation of the key and lock difficult. An exemplary rotating disk barrel lock is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,631, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Known solutions to the aforementioned issue, while effective, involve two-handed operation of a key. In particular, a known solution involves the use of a key that includes two interconnected components, the key itself and a key body that rotates about the key. The key body includes a series of recessed notches that engage corresponding protrusions on the lock head. In operation, a user inserts the key so that the protrusions engage the notches and then holds the key body in place to prevent rotation of the barrel lock. Then, while holding the key body with one hand, the handle of the key is rotated with the user's other hand to install or remove the lock.
While this is solution is efficacious, it is generally desirable to have a key that requires only one-hand to operate. More specifically, many rotating disk barrel locks are employed in the utility industry and are often located in protective boxes that are relatively small and cramped providing the installer with a limited range of motion. Such locks may also be recessed such that the key body and lock cannot be grabbed. As such, the two-handed operation of a key is challenging in these restricted confines making the removal and installation of such locks difficult.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a key mechanism.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a key mechanism that allows for one-handed operation.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a key mechanism that allows for one-handed operation facilitating the easy removal of rotating disk barrel locks or any barrel lock that requires key rotation to lock or unlock.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a key mechanism assembly that may be easily manufactured.
An embodiment of the present invention is a key mechanism that includes a key having a shank portion and a grip portion secured to the shank portion. The mechanism further includes a frame with the key being rotatably secured within the frame such that the shank portion protrudes from a first end of the frame. The grip portion of the key may be accessed and rotated to rotate the shank portion while the key is in the frame allowing one-handed operation of the key mechanism.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a key mechanism for one-handed operation of a barrel lock includes a key having a shank portion and a grip portion secured to the shank portion. The mechanism further includes a frame, with the key being rotatably secured within the frame such that the shank portion protrudes from a first end of the frame. The frame further includes a handle end opposite from the first end. The first end of the frame includes a plurality of recesses which receive protrusions on an exterior surface of a barrel lock when the shank of the key is inserted in the barrel lock. The grip portion of the key may be accessed and rotated to rotate the shank portion while the key is in the frame allowing one-handed operation of the key mechanism.
An additional embodiment of the present invention includes a barrel lock and key system for locking a rotating barrel lock. The system includes a barrel lock having a rotating locking mechanism and a series of protrusions on an exterior of the barrel lock. The system further includes a key having a shank portion and a grip portion secured to the shank portion, the key being rotatably secured within a frame such that the shank portion protrudes from a first end of the frame. The frame further including a handle end opposite from the first end, the first end of said frame including a plurality of recesses that receive the protrusions on an exterior surface of a barrel lock when the shank of the key is inserted in the barrel lock to prevent the lock from rotating. The grip portion of the key may be accessed and rotated to rotate the shank portion while the key is in the frame allowing one-handed operation of the key mechanism.
Yet another embodiment of the inventive is a method of one-handed operation of a key to lock or unlock a barrel lock. The method includes the steps of holding a key frame in one hand. The shank of a key located within the key frame in then inserted into a barrel lock such that at least one protrusion on the barrel lock engages a corresponding recess in the key frame to prevent said barrel lock from rotating with said shank. A grip portion of the key located within the frame is rotated with the same hand that is holding the frame. Rotation of the grip portion rotates the shank to lock or unlock the barrel lock.
In operation, a user inserts the key 12, so that the protrusions 18 engage the recessed notches 16, and holds the key body 14 in place to prevent rotation of the barrel lock 20. Then, while holding the key body 14 with one hand, a handle portion 22 of the key 12 is rotated with the user's other hand to install or remove the barrel lock 20.
As stated, many rotating disk barrel locks are employed in the utility industry and are often located in small, cramped environs that provide the installer with a limited room and range of motion. Moreover, such locks may be recessed making them difficult to access. The two-handed operation of such a key is challenging in these restricted confines and the removal and installation of such barrel locks is a difficult endeavor.
Turning now to
In general, an embodiment of the key mechanism 30 includes a key 32 that is rotatably secured within a frame 34. The frame 34 has an open portion 36 that is open to expose a grip portion 38 of the key 32 that, as discussed below, is rotated during operation.
In particular, the frame 34 has a handle end 40 and an opposite, engagement end 42 that includes a series of recesses 44, that, in a preferred embodiment, are wedge or V-shaped. The recesses 44 are configured to engage protrusions on the outer surface of a barrel lock, such as the known lock shown in
Alternatively, as depicted in
The open portion 36 is an important aspect of the present invention. As will be appreciated, the open portion 36 allows the grip portion 38 of the key 32 to be accessed and manipulated, i.e., rotated, with the same hand that the user employs to grasp the frame 34.
Referring now to
The bore 50 preferably has a first shoulder 52 and a second shoulder 54 which allow the key 32 to be rotatably fixed within the frame 34. More specifically, the key 32 is inserted within the bore 50 from the engagement end 42 until a shoulder 56 of the grip portion 38 of the key 32 abuts the second shoulder 54 of the frame. A fastener 58 is then placed through the bore 50 at its handle end 40 and into an aperture in the key 32 until the fastener abuts the first shoulder 52 thereby fixing it within the frame 34 while allowing key 32 to rotate within frame 34. As will be appreciated, the fastener 58 and aperture are preferably threaded and may be, for example, an Allen bolt.
An optional end cap 60 is then placed within the bore 50 and secured in place with a fastener 64. As shown, the end cap may include a key chain adaptor to enhance portability of the key mechanism. A sleeve 62, manufactured from a pliable material such as rubber, is placed over the handle end 40 to facilitate operation of the key mechanism 30. The sleeve 62 provides an easily gripped surface to facilitate use of the mechanism 30.
In use, a user places the handle end 40 of the frame in his or her hand and inserts the shank of the key 32 into the barrel lock such that the protrusions 18 (
The grip portion 38 of the key 32 is sized such that it may be easily rotated within the frame 34. To further facilitate rotation, the grip portion 38 may be knurled or otherwise textured to provide an enhanced grip. The grip portion 38 and shank 32 may be unitary, i.e., formed from a single piece of material or may be separate interconnected components.
The inventive key mechanism 30 is preferably manufactured from a durable metal as it may be employed in the utility industry and, as a result, may see frequent use. To this end, a protective cap (not shown) may be placed over the shank of the key 32 when it is not in use to prevent damage to the same.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “upper,” “lower,” “bottom,” “top,” “up,” “down,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical or positional requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments of invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.
Since certain changes may be made in the above-described key mechanism, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed as limiting the invention.
