ELECTRICAL KEY FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS

• US 3,660,624 A
• Filed: 02/12/1970
• Issued: 05/02/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George Bell
• Original Assignee: George Bell
• Inventors: Bell, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaefer, Robert K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, William J.
• Application Number:
  US05/010,917
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 200/42,44,61.66 340/52,64 307/1AT 180/114 70/237,238,239,DIG.46,388
• US Class Current: 200/43.05
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/22 using mechanical identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 27/10 Switch operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/46 Conducting key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5898 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7763 Key ejecting

Abstract

An electrical key for vehicular ignition systems having ignition system adapters that are irremovably interposed between a predetermined number of spark plug cable receptacles and their distributor contacts. The adapters being of two types, a normally open contact type that is activated by the electrical key and a normally closed contact type not affected by the electrical key. The electrical key including an electrical coded key element working in conjunction with an electrical coded key adapter, when the key element is inserted therein, to produce an electrical continuity in the vehicular ignition system. The key adapter also having wound-up means which will reject the key element when the key is in the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'off'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position while when rotated in the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'on'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position will be held in place to cause current to flow through the coded electrical circuitries to the spring loaded solenoid of the system adapters in starting the vehicular engine.

Claims

1. An electrical key for a vehicular engine ignition system comprising lock means, and key mEans including the combination of mechanical means for opening said lock means and electrically coded circuitry means, said lock means includes mechanical tumblers, and said key means includes an electrically coded key element having a metallic key portion with bitting steps for cooperation with the tumblers of said lock means and an insulated portion with an electrically coded circuitry, and further said key means having a key adapter with an electrically coded circuitry for cooperation with the electrically coded circuitry of the insulated portion of said key element, and further wherein said lock means includes a key hole and said adapter includes receptacle means having a key hole in line with the key hole of said lock means and said electrically coded circuitry incorporated about said key hole for receiving said key element therein for its coded electrical circuitry cooperating therewith in producing continuity of the ignition electrical circuitry in starting the engine, said receptacle includes a plurality of spring loaded terminals for effecting contact with the electrical coded continuity of said key element in effecting continuity in the electrical vehicular system, and wherein said receptacle further includes wound-up means having a pair of spring loaded rollers forming the receptacle key hole which winds up when said key element is inserted and operably rejects said key element if the key element does not cooperate with the tumblers of said lock means to turn it in the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'on'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said receptacle further includes a pair of opposed springs inwardly forcing said rollers for contacting said key element as it is inserted therein.