Colin J. HOLYOAKE has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Abstract: A key for operating a mechanical lock, which key includes a head portion for holding by a user, a lock-engaging portion for inserting into the lock for operating the lock by the application of a turning force, and a joining portion between the head portion and the lock-engaging portion and fixing the head portion to the lock-engaging portion. The joining portion includes a shape memory material, which reversibly deforms without breakage when a first turning force on the key is exceeded, where the first turning force is lower than a second turning force. The second turning force being a turning force which if exceeded causes breakage of the lock-engaging portion or the head portion. The shape memory material may exhibit a superelastic effect in which the shape is restored when the turning force ceases, or shape memory effect in which the shape is restored on heating above a state-transition temperature.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 2015
Date of Patent:
August 22, 2017
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Inventors:
Abdul Baki, Colin J. Holyoake, Matthew J. Kockott, John A. Owen, Richard Postlethwaite, Joanne E. Woods
Abstract: A key for operating a mechanical lock, which key includes a head portion for holding by a user, a lock-engaging portion for inserting into the lock for operating the lock by the application of a turning force, and a joining portion between the head portion and the lock-engaging portion and fixing the head portion to the lock-engaging portion. The joining portion includes a shape memory material, which reversibly deforms without breakage when a first turning force on the key is exceeded, where the first turning force is lower than a second turning force. The second turning force being a turning force which if exceeded causes breakage of the lock-engaging portion or the head portion. The shape memory material may exhibit a superelastic effect in which the shape is restored when the turning force ceases, or shape memory effect in which the shape is restored on heating above a state-transition temperature.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 10, 2015
Publication date:
June 30, 2016
Inventors:
Abdul BAKI, Colin J. HOLYOAKE, Matthew J. KOCKOTT, John A. OWEN, Richard POSTLETHWAITE, Joanne E. WOODS
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