Cashless key and receptacle system
First Claim
1. A combination key device and an electrical receptacle for the key device wherein the receptacle defines electrical contact surface areas for mating with corresponding contact surface areas defined by the key device, at least one clip defining the electrical contact surface areas of said receptacle, a receptacle body for supporting said clip, an axially extending keyway opening defined by said body, said clip consisting of a one-piece electrical conductor and comprising a transverse portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the transverse portion, at least one contact element defined by each of said legs and extending inwardly toward said body, openings defined by said body and communicating with said keyway opening for receiving said contact elements, and a contact band carried by said key device, insertion of said key device into said keyway opening bringing said contact band into electrical contact with at least one of said contact elements, receipt of said contact elements in said openings serving to hold said clip in a stationary position relative to said receptacle body whereby said clip is prevented from movement axially upon said insertion of said key device.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A combination key-like device and electrical receptacle for the key-like device wherein the receptacle defines electrical contact surface areas for mating with corresponding contact surface areas defined by the key-like device. At least one clip defines the electrical contact surface areas for the said receptacle and the clip is supported on the receptacle body. A keyway opening is defined by the body and the clip comprises a transverse portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the transverse portion with contact elements defined by each of the legs extending inwardly toward the keyway opening and with openings defined by the body communicating with said keyway opening for receiving the contact elements. A contact band is carried by the key-like device whereby insertion of the key-like device into the keyway opening brings the contact band into electrical contact with at least one of the contact elements.
-
Citations
31 Claims
- 1. A combination key device and an electrical receptacle for the key device wherein the receptacle defines electrical contact surface areas for mating with corresponding contact surface areas defined by the key device, at least one clip defining the electrical contact surface areas of said receptacle, a receptacle body for supporting said clip, an axially extending keyway opening defined by said body, said clip consisting of a one-piece electrical conductor and comprising a transverse portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the transverse portion, at least one contact element defined by each of said legs and extending inwardly toward said body, openings defined by said body and communicating with said keyway opening for receiving said contact elements, and a contact band carried by said key device, insertion of said key device into said keyway opening bringing said contact band into electrical contact with at least one of said contact elements, receipt of said contact elements in said openings serving to hold said clip in a stationary position relative to said receptacle body whereby said clip is prevented from movement axially upon said insertion of said key device.
- 25. A combination key device and an electrical receptacle for the key device wherein the receptacle defines electrical contact surface areas for mating with contact surface areas defined by the key device, a keyway opening defined by said receptacle, said receptacle contact surface areas being exposed within said keyway opening, and a plurality of spaced apart contact bands carried by said key device providing the contact surface areas of said key device, insertion of said key device into said keyway opening bringing said contact bands into electrical contact with said receptacle contact surface areas, said key device comprising a substantially planar printed circuit board and conductive areas exposed on opposite edges of said board, said conductive areas comprising a plurality of separate conductive areas disposed along each edge of said board to provide a plurality of sets of opposed conductive areas, and wherein each of said contact bands is in contact with a different set of opposed conductive areas.
Specification