Key assembly for vehicle ignition locks

• US 5,433,096 A
• Filed: 08/26/1993
• Issued: 07/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Original Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Inventors: Janssen, David C., Reetz, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US08/112,094
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 70/395, 70/413, 70/408, 70/277, 70/278, 70/460, 70/279, 70/283, 70/252
• US Class Current: 70/278.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/04 Construction of the bow or head of the key; Attaching the bow to the shank
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/048 the record carrier being shaped as a key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7802 Multi-part structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7876 Bow or head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7904 Magnetic features

Abstract

A key assembly for mounting an electronic component in the head of the key. The electronic component is mounted in either an opening such as a bore or recess formed in the key head, or a carrier connected to the heel end of the key shank. In the former case, a closure member such as a plug or adhesively backed panel member is employed to close off the opening. In the latter case, the carrier is encapsulated within a plastic key head.

Claims

1. A key for a lock, comprising:

a key shank having a toe end and a heel end, the heel end including an open frame member, said frame member substantially U-shaped and having a pair of opposed spaced apart legs;

a key head attached to the heel end of the shank;

an electric component having a precoded identification means therein;

mounting means for mounting said electronic component in said key head, said mounting means comprising a carrier attached to said frame member;

attachment means for attaching said carrier to said frame member, said attachment means comprising wing members extending from a hollow base, each wing member including a hollow sleeve for slidably receiving one of the legs of said U-shaped frame member.