Key security device
First Claim
1. A key security device for releasably holding a key having an elongated blade extending from a bow end, a shoulder on one longitudinal edge of the blade, and a ward groove extending longitudinally along a side surface of the blade, the device comprising:
- a housing;
an elongated keyway formed in the housing with an open end for receiving the key blade longitudinally;
a bar in the housing for holding the key blade against lateral movement within the keyway;
a latch on the housing selectively operable between a locking position in engagement with the key to releasably lock the key to the housing and a release position allowing the key to be withdrawn from the keyway; and
an alert device within the housing responsive to insertion and removal of the key from the housing for producing an identifiable alert signal after a selected time interval initiated in response to removal of the key from the keyway, and for resetting the selected time interval and cancelling the alert signal responsive to reception of the key in the keyway.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A key security device includes a rigid housing with an internal latching device to releasably secure a key within an open keyway formed in the housing. Circuitry is provided along with the latching device to supply an audible or otherwise detectable signal that is initiated following removal of the key and passage of a predetermined timed interval following removal of the key from the housing. Circuitry within the housing responds to insertion and removal of the key to produce an indentifiable alert signal after a determined time interval that may be initiated in response to removal of the key from the keyway. The time interval is reset and the alert signal is cancelled as the key is received in the keyway. An override is provided for the timer and may be operated to selectively extend the time interval and thereby delay operation of the alarm.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A key security device for releasably holding a key having an elongated blade extending from a bow end, a shoulder on one longitudinal edge of the blade, and a ward groove extending longitudinally along a side surface of the blade, the device comprising:
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a housing; an elongated keyway formed in the housing with an open end for receiving the key blade longitudinally; a bar in the housing for holding the key blade against lateral movement within the keyway; a latch on the housing selectively operable between a locking position in engagement with the key to releasably lock the key to the housing and a release position allowing the key to be withdrawn from the keyway; and an alert device within the housing responsive to insertion and removal of the key from the housing for producing an identifiable alert signal after a selected time interval initiated in response to removal of the key from the keyway, and for resetting the selected time interval and cancelling the alert signal responsive to reception of the key in the keyway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A key security device for releasably holding a key having an elongated blade extending from a bow end, a shoulder on a longitudinal edge of the blade, and a ward groove extending longitudinally along a side surface of the blade, the device comprising:
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a housing; an elongated keyway formed in the housing with an open end for receiving the key blade longitudinally; a ward bar on the housing and projecting into the keyway to be received by the ward groove along the key blade to hold the key blade against lateral movement within the keyway; a latch on the housing for movement thereon between a locking position in engagement with the key blade to releasably lock the key blade to the housing and a release position to allow the key to be withdrawn from the keyway; a signal generator circuit operable, when activated, to produce an identifiable alert signal; a timer circuit operatively connected to the signal generator to activate the signal generator circuit after a selected time interval has elapsed; and switch means operatively connected to the timer circuit responsive to presence and absence of the key blade in the keyway for activating the timer circuit when the key is absent from the keyway and for deactivating the timer circuit when the key is present in the keyway so the identifiable alert signal will only be produced when the key is absent from the keyway for a time greater than the selected time interval of the timer circuit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A key and security device combination, comprising:
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a key having an elongated blade extending from a bow end, a shoulder on a longitudinal edge of the blade, and a ward groove extending longitudinally along a side surface of the blade; a housing; an elongated keyway formed in the housing with an open end for receiving the key blade longitudinally; a ward bar on the housing and projecting into the keyway to be received by the ward groove along the key blade to hold the key blade against lateral movement within the keyway; a latch on the housing for movement thereon between a locking position in engagement with the key blade to releasably lock the key blade to the housing and a release position to allow the key to be withdrawn from the keyway; a signal generator circuit operable, when activated, to produce an identifiable alert signal; a timer circuit operatively connected to the signal generator to activate the signal generator circuit after a selected time interval has elapsed; and switch means operatively connected to the timer circuit responsive to presence and absence of the key blade in the keyway for activating the timer circuit when the key is absent from the keyway and for deactivating the timer circuit when the key is present in the keyway so the identifiable alert signal will only be produced when the key is absent from the keyway for a time greater than the selected time interval of the timer circuit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification