GB2080386A - Key with light source - Google Patents

Abstract

A key or key blank comprises a stem (1), a handle (2) and a light source in the form of a cartridge (10) removably mounted in the handle and including a battery (7 not shown), a bulb (20) and a switch (36). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Key or key blank This invention relates to keys and key blanks.

It is known to incorporate a light source in a key to illuminate the lock. Hitherto, the light source has formed an integral part of the handle of the key. This construction has the disadvantage that the key becomes an attractive item for theft prior to delivery of the vehicle to the customer.

According to the present invention, there is provided a key or key blank having a handle, and a light source mounted in the handle for illuminating the lock, characterised in that the light source comprises a cartridge including a battery, a bulb and a switch, the cartridge being removably mounted in the handle.

Since the light source is formed as a separate cartridge, it can be installed in the key or key blank immediately before the key or key blank is delivered to the customer. Until that moment, the key or key blank contains no light source, and is therefore less likely to be stolen.

The cartridge construction has the additional advantage that, should the key or key blank become damaged, the same cartridge can be used in another key or key blank, A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded plan of a key in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan, on an enlarged scale, of one side of a cartridge used in the key of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan of the other side of the cartridge of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-section through the cartridge taken along line lV-IV of Figure 2; and Figure 5 is a cross-section through the cartridge taken along line V-V of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, a key comprises a metal stem 1 (Fig. 1) which is moulded into a flat handle 2 of plastics material. The handle 2 has an internal cavity 3 which is generally rectangular in shape. One wall 4 of the cavity defines an oval aperture 5, and the opposite wall 4 defines a larger U-shaped recess 6, the region between the two walls 3 and 4 defining a U-shaped groove 7.

The cavity 3 recetves a cartndge 1 0 which comprises a two-piece housing having two shells 1 1, 12 (Figs. 3 and 5), the first shell 11 including a peripheral lip 14 which is a snap fit into a recess defined by a peripheral wali 1 5 on the second shell 1 2. The edges of the two shells 11, 12 define a circumferential rib 13 complementary in shape to the groove 7 in the key handle. The shells 11, 12 define an internal cavity 1 5. A light bulb 17 is positioned within the cavity 1 5 in a recess 1 8 in the first shell 1 the envelope 20 of the bulb 17 projecting through an aperture 21 in the cartridge 1 0.

As best seen in Figure 5, a circular metal contact plate 22 is received in the bottom of the first shell 11 and includes a side arm 23 which makes electrical contact with the side wall of the bulb 17. The contact plate 22 overlies an oval stud 25 (Fig. 5) which is complementary in shape to the aperture 5 in the key handle and which projects outwardly from the lower plate 11.

A self-contained electric dry cell or battery 30 is positioned within the cavity 30. The base 31 of the battery 30, which is one terminal of the battery, spaced from the plate 22 by means of a metal compression spring 32 which makes electrical contact between the base 31 and the contact plate 22. The spring 32 biases the battery 30 towards the second shelf 12, into engagement with a push button switch 36 which is retained in a circular aperture in the second shell 1 2 by means of a peripheral flange 37.

A further electrical contact 40 (Figs. 2 and 4) is positioned in the cavity 1 5 in the lower plate 11 with one end in contact with the terminal stud on the bulb 17. The contact 40 is held in the cavity 1 5 by a projection 42 extending from the upper plate 1 2. The other end of the contact 40 lies adjacent the rim 45 of the battery 30, which constitutes the other electrical terminal of the battery.

In the position illustrated in the drawings, the contact 40 does not engage the rim 45 of the battery 30. The bulb 1 7 is not therefore illuminated. By pressing the push button 36 into the plate 12, the rim 45 of the battery 30 can be brought into engagement with the contact 40 thereby completing the electrical circuit to the bulb 17.

To assemble the key blank, the cartridge 10 is pushed firmly into the cavity 3 so that the rib 1 3 engages in the groove 7 and the oval stud 25 engages in the aperture 5, thereby retaining the cartridge 10 in the handle with the bulb 20 aligned with the stem 1 of the key. This assembly can be effected immediately before the vehicle is sold, thereby reducing the risk of theft of the key before sale.

If necessary, the cartridge 10 can be removed from the handle 2 of the key or key blank and installed in another similar key or key blank.

1. A key or key blank having a handle, and a light source mounted in the handle for illuminating the lock, characterised in that the light source comprises a cartridge including a battery, a bulb and a switch, the cartridge being removably mounted in the handle.

2. A key or key blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Key or key blank This invention relates to keys and key blanks. It is known to incorporate a light source in a key to illuminate the lock. Hitherto, the light source has formed an integral part of the handle of the key. This construction has the disadvantage that the key becomes an attractive item for theft prior to delivery of the vehicle to the customer. According to the present invention, there is provided a key or key blank having a handle, and a light source mounted in the handle for illuminating the lock, characterised in that the light source comprises a cartridge including a battery, a bulb and a switch, the cartridge being removably mounted in the handle. Since the light source is formed as a separate cartridge, it can be installed in the key or key blank immediately before the key or key blank is delivered to the customer. Until that moment, the key or key blank contains no light source, and is therefore less likely to be stolen. The cartridge construction has the additional advantage that, should the key or key blank become damaged, the same cartridge can be used in another key or key blank, A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded plan of a key in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan, on an enlarged scale, of one side of a cartridge used in the key of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan of the other side of the cartridge of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-section through the cartridge taken along line lV-IV of Figure 2; and Figure 5 is a cross-section through the cartridge taken along line V-V of Figure 2. Referring to the drawings, a key comprises a metal stem 1 (Fig. 1) which is moulded into a flat handle 2 of plastics material. The handle 2 has an internal cavity 3 which is generally rectangular in shape. One wall 4 of the cavity defines an oval aperture 5, and the opposite wall 4 defines a larger U-shaped recess 6, the region between the two walls 3 and 4 defining a U-shaped groove 7. The cavity 3 recetves a cartndge 1 0 which comprises a two-piece housing having two shells 1 1, 12 (Figs. 3 and 5), the first shell 11 including a peripheral lip 14 which is a snap fit into a recess defined by a peripheral wali 1 5 on the second shell 1 2. The edges of the two shells 11, 12 define a circumferential rib 13 complementary in shape to the groove 7 in the key handle. The shells 11, 12 define an internal cavity 1 5. A light bulb 17 is positioned within the cavity 1 5 in a recess 1 8 in the first shell 1 the envelope 20 of the bulb 17 projecting through an aperture 21 in the cartridge 1 0. As best seen in Figure 5, a circular metal contact plate 22 is received in the bottom of the first shell 11 and includes a side arm 23 which makes electrical contact with the side wall of the bulb 17. The contact plate 22 overlies an oval stud 25 (Fig. 5) which is complementary in shape to the aperture 5 in the key handle and which projects outwardly from the lower plate 11. A self-contained electric dry cell or battery 30 is positioned within the cavity 30. The base 31 of the battery 30, which is one terminal of the battery, spaced from the plate 22 by means of a metal compression spring 32 which makes electrical contact between the base 31 and the contact plate 22. The spring 32 biases the battery 30 towards the second shelf 12, into engagement with a push button switch 36 which is retained in a circular aperture in the second shell 1 2 by means of a peripheral flange 37. A further electrical contact 40 (Figs. 2 and 4) is positioned in the cavity 1 5 in the lower plate 11 with one end in contact with the terminal stud on the bulb 17. The contact 40 is held in the cavity 1 5 by a projection 42 extending from the upper plate 1 2. The other end of the contact 40 lies adjacent the rim 45 of the battery 30, which constitutes the other electrical terminal of the battery. In the position illustrated in the drawings, the contact 40 does not engage the rim 45 of the battery 30. The bulb 1 7 is not therefore illuminated. By pressing the push button 36 into the plate 12, the rim 45 of the battery 30 can be brought into engagement with the contact 40 thereby completing the electrical circuit to the bulb 17. To assemble the key blank, the cartridge 10 is pushed firmly into the cavity 3 so that the rib 1 3 engages in the groove 7 and the oval stud 25 engages in the aperture 5, thereby retaining the cartridge 10 in the handle with the bulb 20 aligned with the stem 1 of the key. This assembly can be effected immediately before the vehicle is sold, thereby reducing the risk of theft of the key before sale. If necessary, the cartridge 10 can be removed from the handle 2 of the key or key blank and installed in another similar key or key blank. CLAIMS

1. A key or key blank having a handle, and a light source mounted in the handle for illuminating the lock, characterised in that the light source comprises a cartridge including a battery, a bulb and a switch, the cartridge being removably mounted in the handle.

2. A key or key blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.