Multiple part key for conventional locks

Claim 2

A multiple part key for use in a conventional lock comprising: a key shank having one end portion suitably shaped for insertion into the lock and having an opposite end portion including a first stop surface facing toward said one end portion; a separate hilt having a key shank guideway therein which opens to a surface thereof for receiving the opposite end portion of the shank therein; and mounting means associated with both the key shank and hilt for securing the two together to form a completed key, said mounting means including a resilient tongue member protruding into said guideway and having a ramp portion generally inclined to the major axis of said guideway and facing outwardly of said guideway and a shoulder presenting an inwardly facing second stop surface, whereby assembly of said shank and hilt is facilitated through the engagement of said shank opposite end and said ramp portion on insertion of said shank one end portion into said hilt guideway and separation of said shank and hilt is prevented by abutment of said first and second stop surfaces.

Claim 3

The invention as in claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes the provision of said ramp portion and tongue member so that bending of said tongue member laterally of said guideway is promoted upon the insertion of said shank opposite end into said guideway but such lateral bending of said tongue member is not promoted upon an attempted separation of said hilt and shank.

Claim 4

The invention as in claim 1 wherein the hilt tongue member is formed integrally of the hilt and separated therefrom by a cutout around three sides to facilitate a fourth attached side pivoting on the hilt.

Claim 5

A multiple part key for use in a conventional lock comprising: an elongated key shank having one end portion suitably shaped for insertion into the lock and having an opposite end portion having an indentation therein; a separate hilt having an elongated key shank guideway therein which opens to a surface thereof for receiving the opposite end portion of the shank therein, said hilt being formed of a resilient material; and mounting means associated with both the key shank and hilt for securing the two together to form a completed key, said mounting means including the provision of holding means in the hilt for extending into the indentation in the opposite end portion of the shank to hold the shank therein when received in the guideway, said holding means including the provision of a shoulder portion in the hilt which protrudes into the guideway and into the indentation in the shank, when inserted into the guideway, to hold the shank therein; wherein: the hilt is formed of two parts, a first part and a second part; the first part has the major portion of the guideway formed therein and has the shoulder protruding into the guideway to extend into the indentation in the shank when the shank is located therein; and the second part has the rest of the guideway and mates with the first part after the shank is received therein to complete the hilt and maintain the shank therein.

Claim 6

A multiple part key for use in a conventional lock comprising: an elongated key shank having one end portion suitably shaped for insertion into the lock and having an opposite end portion having an indentation therein; a separate hilt having an elongated key shank guideway therein which opens to a surface thereof for receiving the opposite end portion of the shank therein, said hilt being formed of a resilient material; and mounting means associated with both the key shank and hilt for securing the two together to form a completed key, said mounting means including the provision of holding means in the hilt for extending into the indentation in the opposite end portion of the shank to hold the shank therein when received in the guideway, said holding means including the provision of a shoulder portion in the hilt which protrudes into the guideway and into the indentation in the shank, when inserted into the guideway, to hold the shank therein; wherein: the hilt is formed of two parts, a first part and a second part; the first part has the major portion of the guideway formed therein and has the shoulder protruding into the guideway to extend into the indentation in the shank when the shank is located therein; and the second part has the rest of the guideway and mates with the first part after the shank is received therein to complete the hilt and maintain the shank therein.

Claim 7

The invention as in claim 4 wherein interlocking means is provided for interlocking the first and second parts upon mating thereof.

Claim 8

The invention as in claim 5 wherein the interlocking means includes a springable tab on one part and a mating opening on the other part, the mating of said parts locating the tab in the opening to interlock the two parts together.

Claim 9

The invention as in claim 4 wherein the second part has an open ended cavity opening to the opposite side thereof from the portion of the guideway located therein, and wherein the first part is sized to be received in the cavity after the shank is received in the first part, whereby the shank extends from the first part through the guideway portion in the second part while the second part maintains the shank within the first part.

Claim 10

The key of claim 3 wherein said mounting means comprises: at least two such resilient tongue members protruding into said guideway from opposite sides thereof and said shank is provided with such stop surface such that said shank is held between two tongue members against withdrawal from said guideway.

Claim 11

A two part key for use in a conventional lock comprising: a key shank having one end portion suitably shaped for insertion into the lock and having an opposite end portion; and a one piece molded plastic head having a key shank guideway therein for receiving said opposite end portion of said shank, said head having an integrally formed resilient tongue means normally protruding into said guideway with a ramp portiOn thereof facing outwardly of said guideway and presenting a stop surface generally transverse to and facing inwardly of said guideway whereby assembly of said shank and head is facilitated but subsequent withdrawal of said shank from said head is prevented.

Claim 12

A two part key for use in a conventional lock comprising: a key shank having one end portion suitably shaped for insertion into the lock and having an opposite end portion; and a one piece molded plastic head having a key shank guideway therein for receiving said opposite end portion of said shank, said head having an integrally formed resilient tongue means normally protruding into said guideway with a ramp portiOn thereof facing outwardly of said guideway and presenting a stop surface generally transverse to and facing inwardly of said guideway whereby assembly of said shank and head is facilitated but subsequent withdrawal of said shank from said head is prevented.

Claim 13

The two part key of claim 9 wherein: at least two such resilient tongue means are formed integrally of said head on opposite sides of said guideway in opposed relationship to receive said shank one end portion therebetween.

Claim 14

A multiple part key assembly for use in a conventional lock comprising: a key shank; a separately formed hilt having a key shank guideway therein for receiving said shank therein; and mounting means associated with both said key shank and hilt for securing the two together in a generally permanent assembly thereof to form a completed key, said mounting means including a first planar stop surface provided on said shank in a plane generally transverse to said shank and a resilient tongue member on said hilt protruding into said guideway, and said tongue member having a ramp portion facing outwardly of said guideway and presenting a planar second stop surface generally transverse to and facing inwardly of said guideway whereby upon insertion of said shank into said guideway said shank initially engages said ramp portion to deform said tongue member laterally of said guideway until said first and second stop surfaces are aligned.

Claim 15

A multiple part key assembly for use in a conventional lock comprising: a key shank; a separately formed hilt having a key shank guideway therein for receiving said shank therein; and mounting means associated with both said key shank and hilt for securing the two together in a generally permanent assembly thereof to form a completed key, said mounting means including a first planar stop surface provided on said shank in a plane generally transverse to said shank and a resilient tongue member on said hilt protruding into said guideway, and said tongue member having a ramp portion facing outwardly of said guideway and presenting a planar second stop surface generally transverse to and facing inwardly of said guideway whereby upon insertion of said shank into said guideway said shank initially engages said ramp portion to deform said tongue member laterally of said guideway until said first and second stop surfaces are aligned.

Claim 16

A multiple part key comprising: a shank having an aperture extending laterally therethrough adjacent one end thereof; a key head having a guideway to receive said shank one end therein; and a pair of opposed resilient tongue members provided on said head on opposite sides of said guideway, each including a shoulder normally protruding into said guideway, whereby insertion of said shank one end into said guideway deforms said opposed tongue members apart and laterally of said guideway until said shank aperture is aligned with said shoulders whereupon said shoulders engage in said aperture to thereafter prevent withdrawal of said shank from said head.

Claim 17

A multiple part key comprising: a shank having an aperture extending laterally therethrough adjacent one end thereof; a key head having a guideway to receive said shank one end therein; and a pair of opposed resilient tongue members provided on said head on opposite sides of said guideway, each including a shoulder normally protruding into said guideway, whereby insertion of said shank one end into said guideway deforms said opposed tongue members apart and laterally of said guideway until said shank aperture is aligned with said shoulders whereupon said shoulders engage in said aperture to thereafter prevent withdrawal of said shank from said head.

Claim 18

The key of claim 12 wherein: said aperture is provided in a direction generally normal to the plane of generally parallel side walls of said shank and said shoulders each present a stop surface facing inwardly of said guideway in a plane generally normal to the major axis of said guideway.

Claim 19

The key of claim 12 wherein: said head is molded of plastic material and said tongue members are formed integrally of and partially cut out of said head.