Automated key dispenser
First Claim
1. An automatic key dispensing system, comprising:
- at least one rack body;
a plurality of individual key holders arranged horizontally and vertically on said rack body, each of said key holders movable between two states, the first wherein a key is retained, the second wherein a key is released;
means for actuating said key holders between said two states;
means for directing to a common location keys released from said key holders; and
awning-shaped covers associated with said rack body and disposed over said individual key holders, said covers comprising a first portion operative to retain keys on said individual key holders and a second portion unitary with said first portion comprising a deflective surface extending away from said rack body to prevent interference among keys.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an automated key dispenser system that permits keys to be randomly loaded and stored on individual keyholders in horizontal and vertical arrays, as well as in a number of planes, while dispensing keys to a single accessible location. An exemplary system comprises one or more racks containing solenoid-operated pins arranged in columns and rows. The racks may be arranged side-by-side, one on top of another, or stacked in parallel planes. Awning-shaped covers over the pins prevent tampering and dislodgement of keys. The keys which are released when pins are withdrawn by the solenoids are directed by the awning-shaped covers to a chute which in turn directs them to an accessible opening or receptacle.
143 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An automatic key dispensing system, comprising:
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at least one rack body; a plurality of individual key holders arranged horizontally and vertically on said rack body, each of said key holders movable between two states, the first wherein a key is retained, the second wherein a key is released; means for actuating said key holders between said two states; means for directing to a common location keys released from said key holders; and awning-shaped covers associated with said rack body and disposed over said individual key holders, said covers comprising a first portion operative to retain keys on said individual key holders and a second portion unitary with said first portion comprising a deflective surface extending away from said rack body to prevent interference among keys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 4. The system of claim wherein said means for directing comprises a chute aligned beneath said plurality of key holders, whereby released keys are channeled to a common location.
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11. The system of claim further including a corresponding plurality of individual key holder sensors, one of said sensors proximate each of said plurality of individual key holders, for providing an indicia of the presence or absence of a key on each of said plurality of individual key holders.
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17. A user selectable automatic key dispensing system, comprising:
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a housing; at least one horizontally and vertically extending rack body slidable with respect to said housing; a plurality of individual keyholders arranged horizontally and vertically on said rack body, each of said keyholders movable between two states, a first state wherein a key is retained, and a second state wherein a key is released; means for receiving user selections; means, responsive to said means for receiving user selections, for transforming said user selections into key dispensing data; means, responsive to said key dispensing data, for actuating a selected one of said keyholders between said first state and said second state, thereby dispensing a selected key; means for directing to a common location said selected key released from said keyholders; and awning-shaped covers having a deflective surface extending outwardly away from said rack body and over said individual keyholders, for retaining keys on said individual keyholders and for preventing interference between a dispensed selected key and said plurality of individual keyholders. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification