Key storage and monitoring system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for storing and monitoring articles such as keys to be accessed by a plurality of authorized users each assigned a different user code, said apparatus comprising:
- a storage board for receiving and holding the articles;
a plurality of storage pegs arranged on said storage board in a preselected array, each peg corresponding to a different one of the articles and each peg being adapted to receive and hold the article to which the peg corresponds;
a plurality of user code indicator members on said board each corresponding to a different storage peg and each being supported on the storage board for movement among a plurality of different positions respectively designating the different user codes assigned to the authorized users;
whereby when a particular article is to be removed from its peg by an authorized user, the indicator member corresponding to the peg for said particular article can be moved to the position thereof which designates the user code assigned to said unauthorized user to inform subsequent users of the identity of the user in possession of said particular article.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage board for keys and other articles which keeps track of missing keys by assigning user codes to authorized users and making provision for the entry of a code when a key is removed. In one embodiment, the keys are stored on pegs mounted to rotate with dials which are turned to enter the user codes. Each key is stored on its peg in a spiral groove which retains the key against removal unless the dial is first rotated. In another embodiment, the pegs and dials are removed from one another, and an electric circuit energized an LED on the proper peg when the corresponding dial is turned. This provides an indication of the location of the key which is sought.
63 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for storing and monitoring articles such as keys to be accessed by a plurality of authorized users each assigned a different user code, said apparatus comprising:
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a storage board for receiving and holding the articles; a plurality of storage pegs arranged on said storage board in a preselected array, each peg corresponding to a different one of the articles and each peg being adapted to receive and hold the article to which the peg corresponds; a plurality of user code indicator members on said board each corresponding to a different storage peg and each being supported on the storage board for movement among a plurality of different positions respectively designating the different user codes assigned to the authorized users; whereby when a particular article is to be removed from its peg by an authorized user, the indicator member corresponding to the peg for said particular article can be moved to the position thereof which designates the user code assigned to said unauthorized user to inform subsequent users of the identity of the user in possession of said particular article. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for storing and monitoring keys accessible to a plurality of authorized users each assigned a different user code, said apparatus comprising:
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a keyboard; a plurality of pegs projecting from said keyboard, each peg corresponding to a different key which is to be stored on the peg when the key is not in use; and a dial adjacent each peg, each dial being supported on said keyboard for rotation among a plurality of different rotative positions each designating a different user code to permit the dial adjacent each peg from which a key is to be removed to be rotated to the position designating the user code of the authorized user who removes said key, thereby identifying said authorized user to subsequent authorized users. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for storing and monitoring keys accessible to a plurality of authorized users each assigned a different user code, said apparatus comprising:
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a keyboard; a plurality of storage pegs projecting from said keyboard and arranged in an array on a first portion of the keyboard, each peg corresponding to a different key which is to be stored on the peg when not in use; a plurality of rotary dials arranged in an array on a second portion of the keyboard offset from said first portion, each dial corresponding to a different one of said pegs and each dial being supported on the keyboard for rotation among a plurality of different rotative positions each designating a different user code; a light adjacent each peg; and means for energizing each light when the dial corresponding to the peg for the light is turned, whereby each authorized user intending to locate and remove particular key can turn the corresponding dial to the rotative position designating the user code assigned to said authorized user to energize the light corresponding to said particular key and to inform subsequent users of the user code of said authorized user. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification