US3668909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Settable key and coding mechanism therefor
Assignee: LOCKING SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-28
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1990-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code for any one of a number of differently coded locks is provided whereby the key is set to operate any given one of the locks. The key includes settable bits carried upon a shank or stem each of the bits being variously settable to a number of coded arrangements thereof. The key setting means serves to set the bits of the key in response to a coding element having predetermined code portions defining the code for the lock which is to be operated. For example a punched hole accounting card can be utilized as a coding element. The setting means receives a key and also the coding element and includes sensing portions for sensing the coded portions of the coding element so as to set the key bits in response thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin E Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:13
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B19/00; E05B19/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53457; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/778; Y10T70/7791; Y10T70/7802; Y10T70/7825; Y10T70/7876; Y10T70/7881; Y10T70/7893
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code of any one of a plurality of differently coded locks to operate a given one of said locks comprising key means having bits settable variously to a number of coded arrangements thereof, a punched hole accounting card carrying openings therein defining the code for said given one of said locks, and setting means for receiving said card and key and serving to set the key bits in response to openings of the card.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code of any one of a plurality of differently coded locks to operate a given one of said locks comprising key means having bits settable variously to a number of coded arrangements thereof, a punched hole accounting card carrying openings therein defining the code for said given one of said locks, and setting means for receiving said card and key and serving to set the key bits in response to openings of the card.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for selectivEly coding a key to any one of a plurality of differently coded locks to operate a given one of said locks comprising a key assembly having a plurality of bit elements, each bit element being movable to a plurality of coded positions, and means selectively operable for retaining or releasing said bits in their coded positions, means for receiving said key bits to be moved to their respective coded positions for said one lock, and selectively coded setting means for operating the last named said means and serving to move said bits to their said coded positions whereby the first named means can be operated to retain said bits in their coded positions and the key assembly removed from the setting means in condition adapted to operate said one lock.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for selectivEly coding a key to any one of a plurality of differently coded locks to operate a given one of said locks comprising a key assembly having a plurality of bit elements, each bit element being movable to a plurality of coded positions, and means selectively operable for retaining or releasing said bits in their coded positions, means for receiving said key bits to be moved to their respective coded positions for said one lock, and selectively coded setting means for operating the last named said means and serving to move said bits to their said coded positions whereby the first named means can be operated to retain said bits in their coded positions and the key assembly removed from the setting means in condition adapted to operate said one lock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein said setting means includes means for engaging and positioning said bits and further includes movable detent elements associated therewith, said detent elements being adapted to be engaged by openings formed in a substrate, and means for receiving the substrate in a position disposed to cause said detent elements to engage said openings for positioning said bits in accordance with the openings in said substrate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code of any one of a plurality of differently coded locks to operate a given one of said locks comprising key means having bits settable variously to a number of coded arrangements thereof, coding means having predetermined code portions for defining the code for said given one of said locks, and setting means having means for receiving said one key, said setting means also having sensing portions for sensing said coded portions and serving to set the key bits in response thereto.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code of any one of a plurality of differently coded locks to operate a given one of said locks comprising key means having bits settable variously to a number of coded arrangements thereof, coding means having predetermined code portions for defining the code for said given one of said locks, and setting means having means for receiving said one key, said setting means also having sensing portions for sensing said coded portions and serving to set the key bits in response thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a system for selectively setting the bits of a key to correspond to the code of any one of a number of differently coded locks so as to be adapted to be selectively set to operate a given one of said locks, a translating device for setting the bits of a key comprising a plurality of bit-setting assemblies associated respectively with the key bits to be set to coded positions, each said assembly including means serving to engage opposite sides of a bit projecting radially outwardly of a key shank and further serving to dispose the bit to its coded position, the last named means including a detent movable conjointly with positioning of said bit, means insertable into the path of said detent to arrest same for positioning the bit in relation thereto, and means for moving the detent to be so arrested thereby setting the bit with respect to the position at which said detent is arrested.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a system for selectively setting the bits of a key to correspond to the code of any one of a number of differently coded locks so as to be adapted to be selectively set to operate a given one of said locks, a translating device for setting the bits of a key comprising a plurality of bit-setting assemblies associated respectively with the key bits to be set to coded positions, each said assembly including means serving to engage opposite sides of a bit projecting radially outwardly of a key shank and further serving to dispose the bit to its coded position, the last named means including a detent movable conjointly with positioning of said bit, means insertable into the path of said detent to arrest same for positioning the bit in relation thereto, and means for moving the detent to be so arrested thereby setting the bit with respect to the position at which said detent is arrested.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a system for selectively setting the bits of a key according to claim 5 wherein the last named means further comprises first and second counter-moving friction drive means, the drive friction of the first being greater than the second so as to allow the first to overdrive the second, and wherein said means engaging opposite sides of the bit comprises oppositely driven elements each formed with a bit-engaging surface portion, said first and second drive means being respectively coupled to drive respective ones of said oppositely driven elements whereby notwithstanding mutual engagement with opposite surfaces of said bit the first friction drive means serves to reverse the movement of the other so as to move the bit positively until arrested by said insertable means cooperating with said detent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a key setting mechanism having counterrotating elements with portions respectively engaging opposite sides of a key bit, and one of said elements carrying a detent for cooperation with means insertable into the path of movement of the detent to arrest same, a drive arrangement comprising first and second counter-rotating friction driven gears for respectively engaging and driving first and second ones of the counter-rotating elements to carry their respective said portions into engagement with opposite sides of a key bit common to each, the friction in the drive connection for driving said first gear being greater than for said second gear whereby after both said portions engage a bit common to each, said first gear can overpower the second gear to carry the bit therebetween until arrested by said detent engaging said insertable means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a key setting mechanism having counterrotating elements with portions respectively engaging opposite sides of a key bit, and one of said elements carrying a detent for cooperation with means insertable into the path of movement of the detent to arrest same, a drive arrangement comprising first and second counter-rotating friction driven gears for respectively engaging and driving first and second ones of the counter-rotating elements to carry their respective said portions into engagement with opposite sides of a key bit common to each, the friction in the drive connection for driving said first gear being greater than for said second gear whereby after both said portions engage a bit common to each, said first gear can overpower the second gear to carry the bit therebetween until arrested by said detent engaging said insertable means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
For setting the movable bits of a key to a selected combination of positions thereof a plurality of discrete bit-positioning means, individually operable, for respectively engaging and moving related ones of said bits a setting element carried by each of said bit-positioning means to move therewith, a substrate-receiving zone adjacent the paths of movement of said elements adapted to receive a substrate therein provided with portions at coded positions thereof unique to a given lock to be operated by the key and for engaging an element to arrest movement of its related bit-positioning means thereby arresting the bit-positioning means at a position related to the position of said portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
For setting the movable bits of a key to a selected combination of positions thereof a plurality of discrete bit-positioning means, individually operable, for respectively engaging and moving related ones of said bits a setting element carried by each of said bit-positioning means to move therewith, a substrate-receiving zone adjacent the paths of movement of said elements adapted to receive a substrate therein provided with portions at coded positions thereof unique to a given lock to be operated by the key and for engaging an element to arrest movement of its related bit-positioning means thereby arresting the bit-positioning means at a position related to the position of said portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
For use with a system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code of any one of a plurality of differently coded locks, a universal key assembly for operating a number of differently coded locks comprising at one end an elongated shank or stem, a plurality of bit elements mounted at spaced intervals along the stem and having radially outwardly extending bit portions movable variously through an arc about said shank, and means for selectively locking or releasing said bits in their respective relative arcuate positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
For use with a system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code of any one of a plurality of differently coded locks, a universal key assembly for operating a number of differently coded locks comprising at one end an elongated shank or stem, a plurality of bit elements mounted at spaced intervals along the stem and having radially outwardly extending bit portions movable variously through an arc about said shank, and means for selectively locking or releasing said bits in their respective relative arcuate positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
For use with a system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code of any one of a plurality of differently coded locks, a universal key assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the last named means comprises a bow element at the other end of the key assembly pivotable between advanced and retracted positions about an axis transversely of the axis of said shank, a cam element carried by the bow and serving in one of said positions to frictionally engage and compress said bit elements into compacted relation and in the other position to release said bit elements for movement about said shank.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
For use with a system for selectively coding a key to correspond to the code of any one of a plurality of differently coded locks, a universal key assembly according to claim 9 further including a movable collar carried by said shank for movement through said arc, and an arcuate ward formed upon said collar and adapted to require alignment of said ward with said bits in order to be releasable from a lock operated by said key.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein said coding means includes a coding element having portions to be sensed by said setting means to set the key bits in response thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a system for selectively setting the bits of a key to correspond to the code of any one of a number of differently coded locks so as to be adapted to be selectively set to operate a given one of said locks, a translating device for setting the bits of a key comprising a plurality of bit- setting assemblies associated respectively with the key bits to be set to coded positions, each said assembly including means serving to engage a bit element carried by a key shank and further serving to dispose the bit to its coded position, the last named means including a portion movable conjointly with positioning of said bit, and coding means for disposing said portion at a predetermined coded position for positioning the bit in relation thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a system for selectively setting the bits of a key to correspond to the code of any one of a number of differently coded locks so as to be adapted to be selectively set to operate a given one of said locks, a translating device for setting the bits of a key comprising a plurality of bit- setting assemblies associated respectively with the key bits to be set to coded positions, each said assembly including means serving to engage a bit element carried by a key shank and further serving to dispose the bit to its coded position, the last named means including a portion movable conjointly with positioning of said bit, and coding means for disposing said portion at a predetermined coded position for positioning the bit in relation thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |