Universal apparatus for use with electronic and/or mechanical access control devices

• US 5,775,148 A
• Filed: 06/16/1997
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medeco Security Locks Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Medeco Security Locks Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Hyatt, Richard Jr., Layton, Tim W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUU, TUYET PHUONG PHAM
• Application Number:
  US08/876,291
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 70/408, 70/395, 70/413, 70/400, 70/403, 70/411, 70/460, 70/278, 70/252, 70/393
• US Class Current: 70/408
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/00 Keys; Accessories therefor key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10; making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/04 Construction of the bow or head of the key; Attaching the bow to the shank
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7791 Keys
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7802 Multi-part structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7876 Bow or head

Abstract

An apparatus for use with electronic and/or mechanical access control devices includes a holder which receives a removable insert which may include an electronic module with a cover member securing the insert to the holder. The holder may take various forms and may be in the form of a key ring, photo I.D. card, etc. The holder may be a key blank for forming a key that operates mechanical locks, in which case the insert may be a dummy insert or it may include electronic components for operating various types of electronic access control devices. A method of upgrading a key for operating a mechanical lock to a key for also operating an electronic access device is provided and involves replacing the insert in the key with an insert containing electronic components. The electronic components may utilize various technologies such as proximity-based access control.

Claims

1. A system of locks and keys in which a key for operating a mechanical lock may be upgraded to a key for operating the mechanical lock and an electronic access control device, the system comprising:

at least one mechanical lock operable by a key having a blade which is insertable into the mechanical lock;

at least one electronic access control device including a reader which communicates with an electronic module to operate the access control device;

the key including a blade and a key bow, the key having a recess formed therein with a first modular insert removably positioned within the recess and secured to the key, the first modular insert being a dummy insert which does not contain an electronic component;

a second modular insert containing an electronic module which communicates with the reader of the electronic access control device to operate the access control device;

said second modular insert configured to be removably positioned within the recess of the key by removing the first modular insert from the key and replacing the first modular insert disposed in the recess of the key with the second modular insert, and then securing the second modular insert thereto;

whereby the key operates the mechanical lock and the second modular insert cooperates with the reader of the electronic access control device to permit the key also to operate the electronic access control device; and

wherein said second modular insert contains all electronic components for said key, such that when said second modular insert is removed said key is free of any electronic components.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical lock includes pin tumblers engaged by the blade of the key.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic module is sealed within the second modular insert and is substantially unexposed to the environment.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second modular inserts have a substantially identical outer appearance.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said key bow has generally flat opposite sides and a width between said opposite sides, said recess extends entirely through said width of said key bow, and said first modular insert and said second modular insert each have a larger width than said width of said key bow such that when positioned within said recess the modular insert extends outward from said sides of said key bow.

6. A system of locks and keys in which a key for operating a mechanical lock may be upgraded to a key for operating the mechanical lock and an electronic access control device, the system comprising:

at least one mechanical lock operable by a key having a blade which is insertable into the mechanical lock;

at least one electronic access control device including a reader which communicates with an electronic module to operate the access control device;

the key including a blade and a key bow, the key having a recess formed therein with a first modular insert removably positioned within the recess and secured to the key;

a second modular insert containing an electronic module which communicates with the reader of the electronic access control device to operate the access control device;

said second modular insert configured to be removably positioned within the recess of the key by removing the first modular insert from the key and replacing the first modular insert disposed in the recess of the key with the second modular insert, and then securing the second modular insert thereto;

whereby the key operates the mechanical lock and the second modular insert cooperates with the reader of the electronic access control device to permit the key to also operate the electronic access control device,

wherein the first modular insert contains an electronic component for operating a first electronic access control device and the second modular insert contains an electronic component for operating a second electronic control device, whereby after replacement of the first modular insert with the second modular insert the key will operate the mechanical lock and the second electronic access control device, and

wherein said first and second modular inserts contain all electronic components for said key, such that when said first and second modular inserts are removed, said key is free of any electronic components.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said key bow has generally flat opposite sides and a width between said opposite sides, said recess extends entirely through said width of said key bow, and said first modular insert and said second modular insert each have a larger width than said width of said key bow such that when positioned within said recess the modular insert extends outward from said sides of said key bow.

8. A method of upgrading a key which operates a mechanical lock into a key that cooperates with a reader of an electronic access control device so as to operate the electronic access control device, the method comprising steps of:

providing a key having a key bow, a key blade extending from the key bow for operating the mechanical lock, the key being free of any electronic components and including a portion to which a first modular insert is removably secured, the first modular insert being a dummy insert which does not contain an electronic component;

removing the first modular insert from the key;

providing a second modular insert having an electronic module for cooperating with and operating the electronic access control device;

securing the second modular insert to the key;

whereby the key with the second modular insert secured thereto which has the electronic module will operate the mechanical lock and will cooperate with and operate the electronic access control device, and said second modular insert contains all electronic components for said key, such that when said second modular insert is removed said key is free of any electronic components.

9. A method of upgrading a key according to claim 8, wherein the key operates pin tumblers located in the mechanical lock.

10. A method of upgrading a key according to claim 8, wherein the electronic module is sealed within the second modular insert so as to be substantially unexposed to the environment.

11. A method of upgrading a key according to claim 8, wherein the first and second modular inserts have a substantially identical outer appearance.

12. A method of upgrading a key according to claim 8, further comprising the step of securing either of the first and second modular inserts to the key with portions that extend over opposite side surfaces of said key bow so as to hold the insert in said recess.

13. A method of upgrading a key according to claim 12, wherein the clamshell-shaped cover includes a tamper-evident means for indicating that the cover has been removed from the key by an unauthorized person.

14. A method of upgrading a key which operates a mechanical lock into a key that cooperates with a reader of an electronic access control device so as to operate the electronic access control device, the method comprising steps of:

providing a key having a key bow, a key blade extending from the key bow for operating the mechanical lock, the key being free of any electronic components and including a portion to which a first modular insert is removably secured;

removing the first modular insert from the key;

providing a second modular insert having an electronic module for cooperating with and operating the electronic access control device;

securing the second modular insert to the key;

whereby the key with the second modular insert secured thereto which has the electronic module will operate the mechanical lock and will cooperate with and operate the electronic access control device,

wherein the first modular insert contains an electronic component for operating a first electronic access control device and the second modular insert contains an electronic component for operating a second electronic control device, whereby after replacement of the first modular insert with the second modular insert the key will operate the mechanical lock and the second electronic access control device, and

wherein said first and second modular inserts contain all electronic components for said key, such that when said first and second modular inserts are removed, said key is free of any electronic components.