MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DEVICE FOR ACCOMMODATING AND INDIVIDUALLY PROVIDING KEYS FOR LOCKING SYSTEMS

The present invention relates to a multi-functional device for accommodating and providing a plurality of keys for key-lock locking systems, including a lockable housing having an internal key receptacle, and at least one sorting means for inserted keys being associated with the key receptacle.

Conventional locking systems for buildings frequently use flat keys of various designs. A person typically carries in everyday life several keys, e.g. for the home, the workplace and for securing vehicles. The keys are typically carried exclusively in bunches of keys, wherein the individual keys are usually combined on key rings.

Moreover, DE 94 15 246.2 U1 discloses a key container wherein keys can be inserted into receiving channels adapted to the keys.

The orderly and space-saving storage of parts and individually packaged goods into so-called magazines is known for quite some time in the field of automation technology and weapons technology. In this context, a distinction is made between the drum magazines and disk magazines, wherein the parts are arranged in a circle and slot magazines, wherein the parts are arranged linearly side-by-side. The aim of magazine storage of parts or workpieces is usually to provide quick access to the individual part with a simultaneously reduced storage volume.

The storage of keys on keyrings is associated with numerous disadvantages which can be avoided with the key magazine according to the present invention. The orderly storage of keys also represents a significant advantage of the invention compared to the keyring, because the volume is significantly reduced by the magazine.

Furthermore, the housed keys are protected from external influences. This concerns in particular the external mechanical effects in the form of bending or other deformation of the key geometry. This can lead to jamming during locking or, in the worst case, keys can break off, which can in turn lead to follow-on costs, for example for the repair of locks.

In the reverse situation, a bunch of keys can also damage garments. Such damage is also reliably prevented by the invention, because contact of the often sharp key bit with the garment of the user is avoided.

A major disadvantage of a bunch of keys is that the particular required key must in each case be selected by the user from a plurality of keys. This disadvantage is avoided by the invention because handling and time required for the selection is greatly reduced by the orderly storage of the keys in conjunction with an ergonomic selection and actuating mechanism.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for storing any type of keys which can be extended as necessary, and which can be connected with applications for any type of use.

This object is attained with the features of claim 1, in particular by providing at least one key magazine of arbitrary design with an operating element for selecting and advancing the key, wherein the housing of the key magazine can be connected with any type of application.

With these measures, a device is provided wherein keys are protected from contamination. The service life of the key/lock system can thus be extended. It is advantageous in this context that the keys can be lubricated, for example with graphite in powder form or with oil, without soiling the clothing of the user in the process.

According to one embodiment of the invention, closable openings are associated with the housing, via which the sorting means can be supplied from the outside with a plurality of keys to be separated.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the sorting means has on its radially outer periphery a plurality of receiving means for receiving keys, the sorting means is substantially cylindrical and is rotatably mounted in a housing for rotation about its longitudinal axis.

According to the invention, at least one key is associated with each receiving means, with the key(s) being held clamped in the receiving means. Biasing means are associated with the receiving means. The keys arranged in the receiving means are biased against the inside of the housing and can be moved relative to the housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the keys arranged on the sorting means can be moved by at least one actuating means from a first parking position to a second working position and vice versa.

According to one application of the invention, the keys may be extended and locked via at least one closeable outlet opening associated with the housing in the longitudinal direction of the sorting means, so that they can be brought into operative connection with a mating lock.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the sorting means can be configured as a substantially cylindrical drum storage which is rotatably mounted in a housing for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and the keys can be arranged in a polygon or star-shape with respect to the longitudinal axis.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an electromechanical control can be used in lieu of a mechanical control.

According to a simplified embodiment of the invention, the device may be controlled via a control knob instead of the touch screen, wherein the control knob is operatively connected to switches which control the electromotive drives for the advance and the selection.

Additional advantageous embodiments of the invention are recited in the dependent claims.

In the basic version, the system should be able to accommodate a plurality of various types of keys, for example 5 to 10 keys. However, the capacity of the system is basically arbitrary. The magazine is either designed to be removable so that the magazine can be filled independent from the base unit. Alternatively, the storage means for the keys may also be an integral part of the base unit. In this case, the keys are inserted directly into the base unit at the time of filling.

The geometric arrangement of the keys within the base unit is in principle arbitrary. For example, circular arrangements with a star shape and a polygonal shape may be contemplated, but also linear arrays, wherein the keys are arranged in rows and lines.

It is initially assumed that the keys contained in the key magazine are custom-made, with a backside adapted to the requirements for orderly storage. Thus, the backside of the key is provided with sliding surfaces and recesses which allow linear guiding and application of force for the advance. However, the invention also extends to systems that are adapted to receive any type of commercially available flat key. The front side of the key or the key bit is designed commensurate with the manufacturer's specification of the associated lock.

An important feature of the invention is the ergonomic manual actuation. This is achieved by a combined operating device for selecting and advancing the key. To keep the actuating travel short, a mechanical gear between the actuator and the forward advance is provided. The gear ratio can be provided, for example, by a rack and pinion mechanism, a pulley/chain drive or a cam drive and/or crank drive.

A rapid movement of the keys upon actuation is prevented by mechanical damping. Selection of the correct key is indicated to the user by a display window integrated into the device, thus avoiding confusion among the keys. In the ground state, inadvertent forward movement is prevented by appropriate measures such as locks, locking pin or return springs.

An important design feature of the invention is the modular structure, which consists of the base unit, which includes the keys and the operating unit, and other specific additional units, so-called applications, which can be supplemented by the user as needed.

The applications provided in addition to the base unit have the goal to provide added value by expanding the range of functions. In addition, the storage volume of the invention is minimized by the individual configurations with the help of the add-on modules, since not all possible functions need to be carried by the user at all times.

The basic unit can be expanded with the following exemplary modules or applications:

- illumination module with its own power supply, switched by advancing the selected key;
- vehicle-specific application for receiving ignition keys;
- radio-based application for tracking the device;
- application for storing keys, which for whatever reasons cannot be accommodated in the magazine of the device;
- applications for various electronic devices, such as consumer electronics, MP3 player, or the like;
- application for identifying the user, e.g. by fingerprint recognition or the like;
- application for integrating mobile phones into the device, including data link, for example for locating functions, etc.

Furthermore, any type of mechanical and electronic applications for extending the range of functions may be contemplated.

The applications are successively coupled to the base unit in sequential order. This means that the first coupled application is located directly on the base unit and all subsequent applications are each coupled to the respective previous unit, etc.

To couple the applications to the base unit, a mechanical locking mechanism is provided which can easily be operated manually and which can be implemented either as a rotary hook or clasp with a corresponding manual unlocking. To be able to arbitrarily connect the applications to the base unit, locking of the applications is standardized. For example, the standardization of the mechanism relates to the design and location of the locking elements and of the electrical contacts.

Another functional element of the coupling relates to the transmission of electrical energy and the transmission of data in electronic form. For this purpose, contacts are provided between the base unit and the applications, for example in the form of contact pins or contact springs. Both the energy and the data are then forwarded from the base unit to the adjacent application and from there in turn to the next adjacent unit.

In addition to the aforedescribed standardization of the coupling mechanism, the energy and data transmission should also be standardized. The standardization with regard to the electrical system refers to, for example, a single supply voltage, while the standardization of the data transmission may be ensured, for example, by a unified data protocol.

In the first approach, the functions relating to the selection and the advance of the keys in a purely mechanical manner should be satisfied by the operating force of the operator. However, an electrically powered variant is also conceivable which is composed of two electric motor-driven axes with an associated electrical control and actuation unit. To meet this function, a differentiation can be made between different types and/or degrees of automation:

- purely mechanically operated variant;
- electro-mechanically operated variant;
  - operation, selection and advance via a switch,
  - power supplied by a battery
  - selection function and advance by electromotive-actuated axes,
- fully electronically controlled variant;
  - operation, selection and advance via a touch-screen display,
  - control via a microprocessor,
  - power supplied by a battery,
  - selection function and advance by electromotive-actuated axes.

The aforedescribed invention of the mechanically or electro-mechanically actuated key magazine is directed not only to the storage of standardized flat keys. The invention can also be used for non-standard flat keys, wherein the mechanical compatibility of the keys with the magazine may be accomplished, for example, with suitable manufacturer-specific adapters.

The invention will now be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show in:

FIG. 1 a schematic system overview of the invention, for example with a base housing, any type of application, an application for a standard key, an application for a car key, and a rear end part;

FIG. 2 a plan view on a base housing of FIG. 1, with the section lines for the sections through the device of the invention, which are shown in detail in the following FIGS. 2a to 3b;

FIG. 2
a the side view of a device of the invention according to FIG. 1

FIG. 2
b the front view of a device of the invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 the section through the inventive device taken along the section line A-A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3
a the sections through the device of the invention taken along section lines B-B, C-C and D-D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3
b the sections through the device of the invention taken along section lines E-E, F-F, G-G and K-K in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 the detailed view of an application of the invention for receiving a flat, standard key, partly in cross-section, in a top view, a side view, a front view and an exploded view of a receiving slider with key;

FIG. 5 the detailed view of an application of the invention for receiving a car key, partly in cross-section, in a top view and a side view;

FIG. 6 the detailed view of an application of the invention for any type of use;

FIG. 7 the schematic diagram of a drum storage device according to the invention, with standard flat key arranged in a polygon, wherein the detail “A” shows a side view of a housing opening for manual operation, the detail “B” a front view with a dispensing opening for a key, the detail “C” a top view onto the housing opening with a drum storage device, and the detail “D” the cross-sectional view of the support of the drum storage device in cross-section taken along the line C-C in the detail “A”;

FIG. 8 a drum storage device according to the invention, in cross-section taken along the lines B-B and A-A in the details “A” and “C” in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8
a an inventive drum storage device with standard flat keys arranged in a pattern, in a cross-section taken along the lines B-B and A-A in the details “A” and “C” in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 the schematic diagram of the embodiment of an application according to the invention, wherein the control of the advance and the selection drives for the keys is electro-mechanical, with a touch-sensitive display which is used for both the operation as well as for the feedback of all relevant system states;

FIG. 10 the inventive embodiment of an application according to FIG. 9, taken along the lines A-A, in the detail “A”, and B-B, C-C and E-E in the detail “B”; and

FIG. 11 a simplified embodiment according to the invention, with a control button which is operatively connected to switches for the electromotive drives for the selection and the advance of the keys.

The invention and its function are described in more detail below with reference to the Figures.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in cross-section A-A, the base unit of the device is composed essentially of a key magazine 2, which is housed in a base housing 5 and which can be moved laterally on a magazine carrier 1. A plurality of flat keys 3 is disposed in the key magazine 2, with the illustrated embodiment showing five keys.

The required key 3 to be ejected is selected by lateral displacement of an operating element 4. The operating member 4 is used at the same time to push the previously selected key 3 with an advance mechanism out of the base housing 5. For this purpose, the base housing 5 has an exit port 5a at its front end.

The magazine carrier 1 and a key magazine 2 form an assembly which can be removed from the base housing 5 for filling with the keys 3. As FIG. 3b shows in cross-section E-E, the magazine carrier 1 is hereby held in the lower part of the base housing 5 by locking pieces 6, which are biased by springs 31.

As FIG. 3a shows in cross-section B-B, a detent spring 7 is located between the magazine carrier 1 and the key magazine 2. The key magazine 2 has notches 2a, in which the detent spring 7 can be engage. The key magazine 2 then assumes a defined position upon lateral displacement relative to the magazine carrier 1, and hence also relative to the base housing 5. The lateral displacement of the key magazine 2 is performed directly by the control element 4. As shown in cross-section C-C in FIG. 3a, receiving means, for example in form of side profiles 4a, are attached to the control element 4, which laterally guide the key magazine 2.

The keys 3 are held in their basic position inside the key magazine 2 by another detent spring 8 and a key recess 3a of the key 3. The detent spring 8 prevents at the same time the keys 3 from falling out when the magazine 1 is removed. The key magazine 2 may be floatingly mounted in the housing 5.

A lateral guide 9 in the key magazine 2 prevents the keys 3 from touching each other. At the same time, the lateral guide 9 reduces friction when the key 3 is ejected.

A recess 2b, on which a feed rod 10 engages, is disposed on the backside of the key magazine 2. The feed rod 10 is provided with a driver 10a which engages in the corresponding recess 3a on the upper side 3b of the key 3.

The feed rod 10 is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism. The feed rod 10 is provided for this purpose on its backside with toothing 10b in which a gear wheel 11 engages. On the side opposite the toothing 10b, the gear wheel 11 is connected to a rack 5b which is fixedly mounted in the base housing 5.

The advance movement is performed by the operating element 4, which transmits the advance movement via the wheel carrier 12 to the axle 13 of the gear wheel. This provides a gear ratio with a factor of two between the advance travel of the control element 4 and the advance travel of the key 3. The wheel carrier 12 is held in the basic position by two tension springs 14. Accordingly, the manual advance occurs against spring force.

During the advance movement, the key 3 selected for the advance overcomes the force of the detent spring 8 and is pushed out of the base housing 5 through the delivery slot 5a. In this case, the key bit protrudes from the base housing, whereas the rear part of the key 3 continues to be guided by the delivery slot 5a and is retained by the driver 10a of the feed rod.

To ensure that no force to hold the key in the extended position needs to be applied by the user during the locking operation, locking is performed with a release mechanism biased by a closing spring 15. When the operating element 4 is brought into the forward position, a locking piece 16 connected to a trigger button 16a prevents the backward movement of the operating element 4 and hence also of the protruding key 3. Pressing the trigger button 16a releases the backward movement of the operating element 4, so that the tension springs 14 pull the key 3 again back to its original position.

The wheel carrier 12 has a guide 17 for the feed rod 10, which is biased so as to cause friction damping during the advance movement. The wheel carrier 12 itself is guided laterally by two guide walls 5c, which are connected to the lower part of the base housing 5. Since the operating element 4 is moved laterally for selecting a key 3 and for positioning the key magazine 2, while the rack and pinion mechanism remains centered relative to the base housing 5, a guide groove 4b is recessed in the bottom surface of the operating element. A lug of the wheel carrier 12 can engage in the guide groove 4b, via which the operating force is transmitted in the advance direction.

The operating element 4 is, apart from the guide flange 5c, designed as plate. This plate is in the edge region guided by two wide guide rails 5d, which are incorporated in the top side of the base housing 5. A lateral clearance of the operating element 4 underneath the guide rails 5d enables both a lateral movement and an advance movement.

As shown in FIG. 2, a control knob 4c which for ergonomic reasons includes a finger recess is located on the top side of the operating element 4. The control knob 4c protrudes through a recess disposed in the upper region of the base housing. To indicate the selected key, an indicator arrow 4d, which points towards a scale 5e located on the rear edge of the upper housing recess, is located on the top side of the control element.

The front end of the base housing 5 is formed by a front end part 18. The end part 18 is coupled to the base housing 5 via a latch. As shown in FIG. 3b in a section K-K, the latch is formed of a hook 19 connected as one piece with the end part 18 and of a movable spring-loaded hook receptacle 20. These two parts engage in a correspondingly shaped recess 5f in the base housing 5. The latch can be released by the operator by pressing a release button 20a.

As shown in FIG. 3 in a section A-A, the front end portion 18 also includes an illumination 21, and an associated energy storage device 30 for supplying power, such as a battery and/or a double-layer capacitor (Goldencap).

As shown in FIG. 3a in a section B-B, the illumination 21 can be turned on and off with a switch 23. The switch 23 is actuated by the front edge of the operating element 4 so that the illumination 21 is switched on when the key 3 is extended.

The rear end of the base housing 5 is formed by a rear end part 24, which is also coupled via a locking button 20a. The locking mechanism for the rear end part 24 corresponds to the latch for the front end part 18.

In particular, the rear end part 24 may be replaced by arbitrary, so-called applications, like those schematically shown in FIG. 1. These are add-on modules which include mechanical and/or electronic functions. A possible application, as shown in FIG. 4, is directed to receiving standard flat security keys 32, which due to their number cannot all be accommodated in the key magazine 2 of the base housing 5.

This application is composed of an application housing 25 configured to receive the keys. For this purpose, the keys 32 can be inserted into an adapter 26. The adapter 26 has the function of receiving the individually shaped, manufacturer-specific keys 32 and to guide them in the application housing 25 of the application 25b.

Grooves 25a through which sliders 26a protrude are inserted laterally into the application housing 25 of the application 25b. The keys 32 can be moved out on the back side of the application 25b with the aid of the sliders 26a. The sliders 26a are hereby attached to the adapters. Only the bits of the 32 keys are pushed out from the application 25b for the closing process. For filling the adapter 25b, the adapter 25b can be completely removed from the base housing 5.

As also shown in FIG. 1, a further application 33 is provided for receiving a car key 27, which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5. The car key 27 is pushed from the rear into the base housing of the application 33. The car key is held in the application 27 by lateral retaining springs 28. The inside contour of the base housing of the application 33 is hereby designed manufacturer-specific or vehicle-specific.

The structure of the invention composed of the base housing 5 and the applications has a modular construction. The applications have a common mechanical interface and an electrical interface. Applications requiring the exchange of electric energy and the exchange of data have on the front side standardized contact springs 29, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The contact springs 29 may have on the backside of the application matching contact seats 22, as shown in FIG. 3 in a section A-A.

In this way, various applications may be arranged consecutively in any combination, wherein the power supply and the exchange of data between modules are ensured at all times. In order to provide the necessary energy for supplying additional functions, the base unit may be provided with an energy storage device 30. Both the base unit and the applications may be provided with an external data interface 34, as shown in FIG. 6.

In addition to the storage in slot magazines 2, wherein the keys 37 are arranged quasi side-by-side in rows, in another embodiment of the invention storage is provided in a drum storage device 35, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 8a.

FIG. 7 shows such a drum storage device 35, wherein the keys 37 are arranged in form of a polygon around a rotation axis 49, as shown in detail in the section A-A of FIG. 8. The drum storage device 35 is hereby supported for rotation in an application housing 36 via front drum bearings 36a and rear drum bearings 36b.

As the detail “A” in FIG. 7 shows, the application housing 36 has a housing opening 36c, through which the drum storage device 35 can be rotated by hand from the outside to select the desired key. As the detail “C” shows, the selected key can be displayed by a marker 35a on the drum storage device 35 and a marker arrow 36d on the application housing 36. The drum storage device 35 then latches in the respective defined angular position where the desired key is located. This is effected by a detent spring 50, which engages in a locking groove 35b, as shown in detail “D”.

In the rear rest position, the keys 37 latch by way of a detent spring 8, as shown in FIG. 8 as section B-B. To this end, the keys 37 have at their rear end a corresponding notch 37a.

The selected key 37 is advanced by a feed rod 38 to which a cam 38a is attached. The cam 38a engages in a corresponding cam recess 37b of the selected key, which is located in the upper detent position. The feed rod 38 is guided in a housing groove 36e, as shown in the detail “C” of FIG. 7.

The rear part of the feed rod 38 is connected to a slider 38b which protrudes through a housing opening 36f to the outside, where it is accessible to a user. The desired key is delivered through a delivery slot 36g, as shown in the detail

The application housing 36 is closed off by a front end part 39 and a rear end part 40. The front end part 39 and the rear end part 40 are detachably connected to the application housing 36 by a rotary or bayonet coupling 36h. Instead of the end parts 39 and 40, any number of add-on modules or applications may be connected to the base housing 5.

As FIG. 8 shows, the keys 37 may be arranged in a drum storage 41 in a star-shaped configuration around a drum axis 49, as shown in detail in the section A-A. The keys 37 are hereby arranged 2 point radially outwards, as shown in the section B-B.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 9, wherein an electro-mechanical variant is provided instead of aforedescribed mechanical actuation. As the detail “B” shows, this variant has a touch-sensitive display 42, a so-called touch screen. Both the control and the feedback of all relevant system conditions, such as, for example an indication of the selected key, can be executed via this touch screen 42.

The selected keys 37 are supplied through a delivery slot 36g, as shown in the detail “C”. To facilitate the use of the key 37 in the dark, an illumination 21 is provided next to the delivery slot 36g. Electrical energy is supplied to the illumination 21 from an energy storage device 30, such as a battery, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 10 in a section A-A.

This embodiment is controlled by a microprocessor 43, as schematically shown in FIG. 10 in a different section from FIG. 9. The unit can be configured and communicate with an unillustrated personal computer via the external interface 34. The energy required for the operation is provided by the energy storage device 30 accommodated in the base housing 5.

The movements for the selection of the keys 37 are performed with an electromotive drive 45, and the keys 37 are advanced with an electromotive drive 44. The electromotive drives 44 and 45 convert the commands sent to them by the microprocessor.

The necessary power is transmitted, similar to the rack and pinion mechanism shown in FIG. 3, which is composed of a feed rod 10 having a driver 10a and toothing 10b. The transverse thrust of the key magazine 2 is provided by a toothed rack 51, as shown in the section A-A. The feedback of the system states and the current location of the adjustment axis can be attained by using suitable sensors.

In a simplified variant, the operation can also be performed via a control knob 47 instead of the touch screen 42, as shown in detail in FIG. 11. The control knob 47 is operatively connected with switches 48 that control the electromotive drives 44 and 45. The detection of the position of the drum axis 49 and hence of the keys 37 arranged in a star-shaped configuration is hereby limited to the detection of the respective end position.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 magazine carrier

2 key Magazine

2
a notch

2
b recess

2
c drum memory

3 key

3
a key recess

3
b key top

4 control element

4
a side wall

4
b guide groove

4
c control knob

4
d indicator arrow

5 base housing

5
a delivery slot

5
b toothed rack

5
c guide wall

5
d guide rail

5
e scale

5
f recess

6 locking piece

7, 8 detent spring

9 lateral guide

10 feed rod

10
a driver

10
b toothing

11 gear wheel

12 wheel carrier

13 gear wheel axis

14 tension spring

15 closing spring

16 locking piece

16
a trigger button

17 guide

18 front end part

19 hook

20 hook receptacle

20
a release button

21 illumination

22 contact seat

23 switch

24 rear end part

25 application housing

25
a groove

25
b application for standard key

26 adapter

26
a slider

27 car key

28 retaining spring

29 contact spring

30 energy storage device

31 locking piece

32 standard key

33 application for car key

34 data interface

35 drum storage

35
a marking

35
b drum locking groove

36 application housing

36
a drum bearing, front

36
b drum bearing, rear

36
c housing opening

36d marking arrow
36e housing groove
36f housing opening
36g delivery slot
36h rotary or bayonet lock
37 key
37a notch
37b driver recess
38 feed rod
38a driver
38b slider
39 front end part
40 rear end part
41 star-shaped drum
42 touch display
43 microprocessor control
44 electromotive drive, advance
45 electromotive drive, selection
46 sensor
47 control knob
48 switch
49 rotation axis
50 drum detent spring
51 toothed rack

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DEVICE FOR ACCOMMODATING AND INDIVIDUALLY PROVIDING KEYS FOR LOCKING SYSTEMS

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

US Classifications

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

PCT Information