Non-planar key shaped electronic key

Abstract

An electronic key includes a rigid key shaped member having a blade and a grip. The blade includes a three-dimensional engagement surface including a slot or the like so that the electronic key may be inserted into a lock in only the correct manner. A smart chip is located at an end of the blade opposite the grip. As the blade can only be inserted into the lock in a single orientation, the chip will always be in a proper position to be identified by the lock. A resilient grip portion provides an improved grip and further conveys the less disposable nature of the key to thereby facilitate transition to electronic locks.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic key, and more particularly to a rigid non-planar electronic key.

[0002] Electronic keys are generally known. One type of electronic key is a rectangular credit card shaped device which is inserted into a slot to unlock an electronic lock as commonly utilized within a hotel. Another electronic key is a flat plastic device which is shaped to have an outline generally similar to a conventional metal key. Overall, conventional electronic keys are relatively thin, inexpensive devices.

[0003] Disadvantageously, conventional electronic keys are relatively flimsy because they are manufactured to be essentially disposable. Such conventional electronic keys may be somewhat difficult for some people to use because the flat electronic key may be inserted into the lock slot in a multiple of orientations. This is a particular disadvantage of the credit card shaped electronic key. Failure to unlock electronic locks is therefore often due to improper insertion of the key which may lead to a reduced acceptance of electronic locks.

[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to increases the robustness of electronic keys and minimize improper insertion to facilitate transition to electronic locks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The electronic key according to the present invention includes a rigid key shaped member having a blade and a grip. The blade includes a three-dimensional engagement surface including a slot or the like so that the electronic key may be inserted into a lock in only the correct manner. A smart chip is located at an end of the blade opposite the grip. As the blade can only be inserted into the lock in a single orientation, the chip will always be in a proper position to be identified by the lock. As the electronic key is manufactured of a rigid material the key may be utilized to rotate the lock in a conventional manner thereby operating a locking bolt or the like. A resilient grip portion provides an improved grip and further conveys the less disposable nature of the key to thereby facilitate transition to electronic locks.

[0006] The present invention therefore increases the robustness of electronic keys and minimize improper insertion to facilitate transition to electronic locks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of an electronic key of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the electronic key; and

[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of the electronic key blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of an electronic key 10 for a lock 12. It should be understood that various devices will benefit from the electronic key and lock designed according to the present invention. Moreover, the lock 12 may include rotational or non-rotational features. That is, the electronic key 10 is preferably manufactured to provide torsional rigidity which permits the key 10 to be inserted into and to rotate the lock 12 in a conventional manner.

[0012] The electronic key 10 includes a rigid key shaped member 14 having a blade 16 and a grip 18. The key shaped member 14 is preferably manufactured of a rigid non-metallic material (illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 3). The blade 16 includes a three-dimensional engagement surface (FIG. 2) including a slot 20 (also illustrated in FIG. 3) or the like so that the electronic key may be inserted into the lock 12 in only the correct manner. The slot 20 is preferably defined along the longitudinal length of the blade 16.

[0013] A smart chip 22 is located at an end of the blade 16 opposite the grip 18. Smart chips are known and various identification devices will also benefit from the present invention. As the blade can only be inserted into the lock in a single orientation, the chip 22 will always be in a proper position to be identified by the lock. Moreover, as the electronic key 10 is manufactured of a rigid material the key 10 may be utilized to rotate the lock 12 in a conventional manner thereby operating a locking bolt (illustrated schematically at 2; FIG. 1) or the like. Requiring rotation of the key 10 to open the lock 12 provides further security and familiarity.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 3, the grip 18 includes a first non-metallic portion 24 formed contiguous with the blade 16 as defined by the phantom like portion. Preferably, the first non-metallic grip portion 24 is overmolded with a resilient grip portion 26 manufactured of a second non-metallic material which is less rigid than the first material such as a rubber or the like. The resilient grip portion 26 provides an improved grip and further conveys the less disposable nature of the key 10 to thereby facilitate transition to electronic locks. An aperture 28 is preferably included in the grip 18 to secure the electronic key 10 in a manner similar to conventional mechanical keys.

[0015] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

Claims

1. An electronic key comprising:

a grip portion manufactured of a first non-metallic material;

a blade portion manufactured of said first non-metallic material formed contiguous with said grip portion, said blade portion having a slot; and

a smart chip mounted within said blade portion opposite said grip portion

2. The electronic key as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade portion and said grip portion are non-planar.

3. The electronic key as recited in claim 1, further comprising a resilient grip portion at least partially encasing said grip portion, said resilient grip portion manufactured of a second non-metallic material less rigid than said first material.

4. The electronic key as recited in claim 3, wherein said resilient grip portion comprises a rubber material.

5. An electronic key comprising:

a non-planar grip portion manufactured of a first non-metallic material;

a non-planar blade portion manufactured of said first non-metallic material formed contiguous with said grip portion, said blade portion having a slot; and

a smart chip mounted within said blade portion opposite said grip portion

6. The electronic key as recited in claim 5, further comprising a resilient grip portion at least partially encasing said grip portion, said resilient grip portion manufactured of a second non-metallic material less rigid than said first material.

7. A method of operating an electronic lock comprising the steps of:

(1) inserting an electronic key into a lock;

(2) identifying the electronic key; and

(3) rotating the electronic key to retract a locking bolt.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein step (2) further comprises identifying a smart chip within a blade of the key.

9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein step (3) further comprises unlocking the electronic lock in response to said step (2).