Key bolt

Claim 1

A key bolt including a shank having a single open-face unobstructed key-receiving shelf-type recess formed at one end thereof, said recess being formed of two intersecting surfaces whereby the first of said surfaces is disposed substantially transversely of the shank and the second surface is disposed longitudinally on the shank, the transverse surface extending from the periphery of the shank to approximately the center of the shank, the longitudinal surface extending from the transverse surface to the one end of the shank; an elongated planar key slidably disposed on said recess and having end portions and spaced side walls forming a closed elongated key slot intermediate the ends of the key; a pin transversely disposed in the shank at said one end thereof and passing through said recess and said key slot at substantially right angles thereto to slidably retain the key within the recess, said key being slidable on said recess to an unlocked position wherein the key extends directly outwardly of the shank and forms an extension thereof and being slidable to a locked position wherein the key is substantially perpendicular to the shank, one of said side walls of the key having a longitudinally severed portion parallel to the remainder of such one side wall and including an abutment protruding out of the plane of the key to form a key lock abutting the bolt shank adjacent its one end to retain the key in locked position, said abutment being yieldable to a position within the plane of the key to enable the key to be moved from locked position to unlocked position, said abutment being formed on the longitudinally severed portion of at least a part of said one side wall, said severed portion having a bent offset stepped portion intermediate its ends and normally offset from and protruding out of the plane of the key to form said abutment which abuts the bolt shank adjacent its one end to retain the key in locked position, said severed portion with the stepped portion thereon being yieldable to a position within the plane of the key to enable the key to be selectively moved from locked position to unlocked position.