Abstract: An improved system for providing early warning preemptive postal equipment replacement. Selected performance parameters the postal equipment are monitored and compared against predetermined operational boundaries. The system is capable of providing for variability in the performance parameters, wherein these parameters may be permitted to vary over time and usage of the equipment. The monitoring gives an indication of the overall system performance. If the system performance goes outside of operational boundaries, or changes significantly over time, replacement of the equipment can then be scheduled with minimal inconvenience to the customer.

Abstract: An ignition lock system for a motor vehicle includes an electronic ignition key and an electronic ignition lock having a key receptacle. The electronic ignition key can be inserted into the key receptacle to exchange coded operating signals, the key receptacle, together with the inserted electronic ignition key, being movable out of an initial position into at least one operating position. A mechanical blocking device is provided in the key receptacle, which blocks the electronic ignition key against withdrawal from the key receptacle in the operating position. The mechanical blocking device cooperates with the electronic ignition key in such a way that the electronic ignition key and/or the key receptacle is irreversibly damaged when blocking actions of the mechanical blocking device are forcibly overcome.

Abstract: A trunk lock including a latching plate for attachment to the upper section of a trunk, a hasp member hinged to an attachment plate to be affixed to the lower trunk section having a free end portion to overlie a keeper opening in the latching plate, a hollow cylindrical bolt housing projecting rearwardly of the hasp to nest in the keeper opening and having a pair of spring biased latching bolts to interlock behind the bounding edge of the keeper opening, a bolt actuator disk and key barrel member in the housing, and a throw away key captured in assembled relation with the bolt housing having a blade including a major leg extending substantially along the center axis of said key barrel and having a bendable end tab protruding rearwardly of the housing and bent behind the rear of the housing to retain the key therein.

Abstract: The invention is a unibody key with lateral grooves on one side or both sides of the shank of the key. The lateral grooves are of an irregular pattern and are cut at a depth such that the key can be snapped off along the lateral groove. The snapped-off portion ofthe key can be inserted in a lock. By inserting the snapped-off portion in the lock, only a key which will mate with the irregular pattern of the snapped-off portion will give proper alignment for a key to open such lock. By such operation, the key necessary to open the lock is easily, quickly and effectively changed.