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US4658105A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electrical contact means for a lock cylinder with an electronic/mechanical key

Assignee: Dormakaba Schweiz AG
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Filing: 1985-07-11
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Granted: 1987-04-14
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Expires: 2005-07-11
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Abstract

Abstract A locking cylinder has contact means with a contact support, including one or more contact elements. Each contact element partially surrounds the circumference and is fixed and secured against axial displacement, but while allowing partial radial movement. A concentric contact guidance member with contact guides for the contact elements is rotatable with respect to a common centre but is fixed with respect to the contact support in the axial direction. The contact elements can be brought into operative connection with these contact guides.

Inventors

  • 👤 Erich Seckinger

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 20:11
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B27/00; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00944; E05B47/00; H; H01; H01H; H01H27/00; H01H27/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 171 words
A lock cylinder for receiving a key having mechanical and electronic coding thereon and having electrical key contacts exposed along an edge thereof, said cylinder having contact means for making electrical contact with the contacts on the key and electronic evaluation means for responding to the coding, the contact means comprising a plurality of electrical contacts each having contact legs; a contact support body having a central axis and including means for carrying said plurality of electrical contacts in a substantially uniform, axially spaced array on said support so that said electrical contacts are restrained against axial and rotational movement and so that said legs are radially movable, and a contact guidance member concentrically rotatable within and axially fixed relative to said contact support body, said guidance member having a plurality of contact guides for axially guiding said contact legs, and a guide slot for receiving said key with said exposed key contacts thereon in position to electrically contact said contact legs as said guidance member is rotated by said key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 171 words
A lock cylinder for receiving a key having mechanical and electronic coding thereon and having electrical key contacts exposed along an edge thereof, said cylinder having contact means for making electrical contact with the contacts on the key and electronic evaluation means for responding to the coding, the contact means comprising a plurality of electrical contacts each having contact legs; a contact support body having a central axis and including means for carrying said plurality of electrical contacts in a substantially uniform, axially spaced array on said support so that said electrical contacts are restrained against axial and rotational movement and so that said legs are radially movable, and a contact guidance member concentrically rotatable within and axially fixed relative to said contact support body, said guidance member having a plurality of contact guides for axially guiding said contact legs, and a guide slot for receiving said key with said exposed key contacts thereon in position to electrically contact said contact legs as said guidance member is rotated by said key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
A cylinder according to claim 1 wherein said contact guides comprise a plurality of circumferential slots on the exterior of said guidance member for slidingly receiving said contact legs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 36 words
A cylinder according to claim 2, wherein each of said circumferential slots includes a noncircular outwardly facing bottom surface against which one of said contact legs rides, said bottom surface acting to radially deflect said leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 54 words
A cylinder according to claim 3 wherein each of said bottom surfaces of said circumferential slots is shaped to move its associated contact leg outwardly to an inoperative position in one rotational position of said guidance member and to permit said leg to move inwardly to an operative position in a second rotational position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
A cylinder according to claim 3 wherein each of said electrical contacts comprises a split ring substantially surrounding a portion of said contact body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 41 words
A cylinder according to claim 5 wherein said contact support body includes at least one window-like opening therethrough through which one of the legs of said electrical contact can engage one of the key contacts as said guidance member is rotated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
A cylinder according to claim 6 wherein said guidance member includes means defining an opening therethrough having a width substantially corresponding to a narrower width of the key with the key contacts thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 54 words
A cylinder according to claim 7 wherein each of said bottom surfaces of said circumferential slots is shaped to move its associated contact leg outwardly to an inoperative position in one rotational position of said guidance member and to permit said leg to move inwardly to an operative position in a second rotational position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
A cylinder according to claim 8 wherein each of said electrical contacts includes a soldering bulge located thereon asymmetrically relative to said legs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
A cylinder according to claim 8 wherein each of said electrical contacts includes a plug pin for receiving a plug, said pin being positioned symmetrically relative to said legs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 46 words
A cylinder according to claim 8 wherein said contact support body includes two window-like openings separated by significantly less than 180° for admitting both legs of said electrical contacts, said bottom surfaces of said slots being shaped to permit movement of said legs through said openings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 36 words
A cylinder according to claim 8 and further including a circular clasp surrounding said contact support body and pressing said electrical contacts against said body, and means for restraining said clasp against axial and rotational movement.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3187123A Cited
US3854120A Cited
US3983354A Cited
FR2389988A1 Cited
US4527024A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-04-13 1990-10-13 1991-04-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-04-13 1994-10-13 1995-04-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-04-13 1998-10-13 1999-04-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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