Abstract:
A key includes a stem connected to a head and an identification system positioned within the head. The head has two opposing surfaces and an aperture that forms a visible area. The aperture extends along the opposing surfaces and interior walls of the aperture connect the opposing surfaces. The identification system is configured to be positioned within the aperture and includes a cover and an identification card that carries a key identification. When inserted, the cover extends across the visible area within the aperture so that the key identification is visible.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a key with an identifying system, which makes the key easily distinguishable from other similar keys. More particularly, the invention relates to a key with an identifying system, such as a card, fit into an aperture of a head portion of the key. 
     2. Description of the related Art 
     The use of keys is increasing, due to an increased need for security. This has led to the development of the safety industries. For example, doors which in the past were kept open are now commonly locked with a key. Locks and hence keys have been incorporated in a number of appliances which formerly were not normally locked, such as refrigerators, freezers, various electric appliances and control panels, and the like. As a result, the use of locks, padlocks and their respective keys has increased greatly. In view of this trend, it is expected that the need for keys will continue to increase. 
     As a result of the increased use of keys, it is common to have a key chain with many keys. In such chains, it is difficult for a user to identify each key. This problem hinders the use of the keys and involves a significant loss of time when the user needs to try several keys in a lock or padlock until the correct one is found. Obviously, this problem is important when the user&#39;s key chain has keys for a house, an apartment complex, a commercial building, or a building undergoing construction. In the latter case, the construction manager may have to carry hundreds of keys for padlocks and locked doors. 
     In order to solve this problem both at home and in the commercial and industrial arena, various methods or systems have been created over time for the identification of keys. A majority of keys bear no identification at all, or at least bear no identification which lasts and remains reliable over time. 
     A widely used identification system for keys uses colors to distinguish the keys. For example, a colored rubber or plastic fitting adheres to a head portion of the key and partially covers the key head. Similarly, colored metal alloys, such as anodized aluminum, have been used in the key manufacturing industry to distinguish keys. 
     A disadvantage of the above methods is that the identifying means or accessory are normally separately manufactured increasing the costs for such methods. Also, the above methods do not fully solve the identification problem, because the user relies on his or her memory which color is for which lock or padlock. This makes this identification system not very reliable, because the user may forget the color-key assignment. Also, the number of colors used both in the colored keys and rubber head devices is limited, which makes it difficult to mark a large number of keys used by a person in a house or commercial building. 
     Another known identifying system uses the shape or design of the key or its head. For example, car manufactures use such a system in which a generally black plastic material embraces all or part of the key head and bears a stamped logotype or brand of the vehicle on it. This system is costly compared to the cost of the key itself and is only justified as an advertising means. Also it lacks a significant identification value as to which vehicle the key is intended for. Such a system is too expensive for domestic or commercial use and, further, does not comply with the fundamental requirement of accurately indicating the lock or padlock to which it belongs. On the other hand, the size of a key with a plastic form over the head of the key makes it difficult to handle more than three or four keys on a key ring or key chain. In addition, a user would have to submit to the key manufacturer a list that instructs the key manufacture how each key should be marked. Obviously this solution is not very practicable. 
     In addition to the industrial or semi-industrial methods described in the preceding paragraphs, relatively crude and home-made devices have been used in attempts to solve the problem of key identification. For example, wedges, holes or scratches have been made in the key heads, and the keys and locks have been assigned with numbers. However, all these actions have been ineffective, as with the passing of time the meaning of such marks is forgotten. 
     In attempts to solve this identification problem, it is known to use a plastic card case where the key destination is recorded in the card. This card case is attached to the key by means of a ring. Although this system solves the memory-associated problem, it duplicates or triplicates the price of the key, which is the main product. It also has the serious inconvenience of substantially increasing the volume of the key rings bearing such keys. For this reason, in addition to its high price, the system is not practical. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,410 describes a key that has a flexible strip attached to the head of the key to identify the key. The flexible strip is a plastic or rubber strip and is secured by various mechanisms which are difficult to implement due to the limited space available. To provide an identification system desired information is directly stamped on the plastic or flexible material. A disadvantage is that the stamped information may be become illegible or completely erased when the user repeatedly touches the key head. Another disadvantage is that it is difficult to write on the strip using an ordinary pencil or a pen. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,006 discloses a key that includes an identification strip. The strip is formed by a hard material which makes it difficult to write the desired information on it. Furthermore, the fastening means used for the identification or strips is far from being practical and safe. For example, the identification strip adheres to the key by folding itself around and embracing the central part between the slots without a reliable fastening system. Thus, after a short time it may become loose and the identification may be lost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the invention involves a key that has a stem connected to a head and an identification system positioned within the head. The head has two opposing surfaces and an aperture that forms a visible area. The aperture extends along the opposing surfaces and interior walls of the aperture connect the opposing surfaces. The identification system is configured to be positioned within the aperture and includes a cover and an identification card that carries a key identification. When inserted, the cover extends across the visible area within the aperture so that the key identification is visible. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves a method of identifying a key having a stem connected to a head. The head is provided with an aperture which forms a visible area and extends along opposing surfaces of the head. Interior walls of the aperture connect the opposing surfaces. An identification system is inserted into the aperture and has a cover and an identification card carrying a key information. The cover extends across the visible area within the aperture so that the key information is visible. 
     The key in accordance with the invention provides an identification system that carries written identification which allows to accurately and permanently indicate the correct key-lock pairing. The identification system is easy to update when needed. In addition, the identification system can be manufactured at the same time the key is made, without adding extra cost. As the identification system is completely positioned within the key head and does not extend beyond the head&#39;s surfaces, no extra volume is added to the key head. 
     More particularly, a piece of metal is die-cast to form the key blank or bit—including the head and an extension or stem, which is subsequently abraded to form the key according to needs of the respective lock—and is manufactured by submitting the metal plates made of different alloys to press strokes or swaging. 
     The identification system is introduced and fixed within the aperture and may be fastened therein through rails, needles, a blank or other fastening means which form an integral part of the key and cannot be easily detached therefrom. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the aperture of the key head has a tab or tongue fastened to one of the interior walls. The width and length of the tongue are slightly smaller than the receiving aperture, which leaves an open space between the tab and the remaining interior walls of the aperture. The remaining open space permits that the identification card, which includes paper or paperboard, is positioned within the aperture and protected by a transparent plastic, mica, polymer or equivalent flexible tubular material. The tab is slightly thinner than the remaining key body, with the purpose that once the duly protected identification card is introduced, the thickness of the identification system is substantially the same as that of the key&#39;s overall thickness, without increasing the total volume of the key. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the key head is die-cast in order to form the aperture. The aperture has a generally rectangular shape and each interior wall includes a rail leaving a spacing in the center of the aperture. The rails are slightly thinner than the thickness of the key head. The identification card is introduced and positioned inside the aperture, and a pair of transparent protecting covers having a specially designed shape are press-fit into the aperture, holding the identification card therein. The protecting covers can be made of plastic, mica, or any transparent material which can be pressed and fit into the aperture. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention one rail is attached to one interior wall of the aperture and two elongate parallel bars are positioned in proximity of two ends of the rail and extend from the interior wall of the aperture. Each bar has a small spacing from a closing side of the aperture. The rail and the two bars are slightly thinner than the key head. An identification card can then be placed inside the aperture, covering the rail and the two bars on both sides, while a transparent protecting tubular material is inserted to cover the identification card. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the aperture formed in the key head is a rectangular window and has a lateral slot which extends into the aperture. The interior walls of the aperture include trenches that serve as sliding slots for the identification system. The identification card and two transparent protecting covers are inserted through the lateral slot and slide along the sliding slots to fit into the aperture, with the identification card positioned at the center of the aperture and covered by the protecting covers. 
     After a key blank is produced by die-casting a metal plate, the key blank is subsequently machined by using a swaging system in order to provide it with the necessary combination and associate it with a given lock. One advantage of the present invention is that the key of the invention is manufactured by using the swaging system that is for manufacturing a conventional key. That is, by applying the same swaging strokes but using adequate matrices, instead of producing a common blank, another blank including the receiving aperture and its supplements (i.e., the tab, rails, needles, a blank or other fastening means) may be produced at the same time and in a same work process. Consequently, no additional cost is involved, except for the small identification card which is inexpensive. 
     In accordance with this advantageous production, the new key with a built-in identification system can be marketed at a price that is competitive with that of a conventional key which lacks an identification system. For the same reason, the new key is widely applicable, for example, at home, in the commercial, industrial, automobile and other fields. 
     Thus, the advantages of this new key include that without significant additional cost, a key can be marketed which incorporates a written, accurate and permanent identification system, without altering its volume. 
     The invention is not restricted to the illustrated embodiment, but it may be varied without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a key according to the invention with an identification system. 
     FIG. 2 shows a front view of the key shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the key shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 4-6 show a perspective, a front view and a side view, respectively, of a second embodiment of a key according to the invention with an identification system. 
     FIGS. 7-10 show a perspective view, a front view, a side view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a third embodiment of a key according to the invention with an identification system. 
     FIGS. 11-13 show a perspective view, a front view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of a key according to the invention with an identification system. 
     FIGS.  14 — 16  show a perspective view, a front view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a fifth embodiment of a key according to the invention with an identification system. 
     FIGS. 17-19 show a perspective view, a front view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a sixth embodiment of a key according to the invention with an identification system. 
     FIGS. 20-23 show a perspective view, a front view, a lateral cross-sectional view and a cross-sectional view taken along line A—A in FIG. 21 in the direction indicated by the arrows, respectively, of a seventh embodiment of a key according to the invention with an identification system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is described in more detail with reference to a key that has a flat head and a flat stem. It is contemplated that a conventional key has been selected for the purposes of illustration and description only and is not intended to limit the invention to a generally flat shape. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is equally applicable to other shapes of keys. 
     FIGS. 1-3 show a first embodiment of a key  10  with an identification system. The key  10  has a head portion  12 , hereinafter referred to as the head  12 , and a stem  14  connected to the head  12 . The head  12  has an aperture  16  which receives the identification system. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture  16  has a generally rectangular shape with four interior walls  11 : two parallel long walls and two parallel short walls. Within the aperture  16  a tab  18  is attached to one of the short walls  11  and receives the identification system so that the identification system is essentially positioned within the aperture  16 . 
     The identification system includes an identification card  22  and a cover  20  which are assembled and inserted into the aperture  16  as illustrated through arrows  21 ,  22 . In one embodiment, the identification card  22  is a paper or paperboard material with at least one side suitable for receiving written information. The identification card  22  is, for example, folded into halves to essentially cover both sides of the tab  18 . The side of the identification card  22  that includes the written information faces outside. The identification card  22  has a size that is substantially the same as that of the tab  18 . It is contemplated that the identification card  22  may be cover only one side of the tab  18 . In addition, the folded identification card  22  may be replaced by two separate, smaller cards, one for each side of the identification system. 
     The cover  20  is a transparent protective material, for example, plastic, mica or polymer, and formed as a sleeve having at least one open end. In one embodiment, the cover  20  has two open ends. It is contemplated that in another embodiment the cover  20  may have one open end and one closed end. The cover  20  slips, open end fist, over the identification card  22  with the tab  18  being surrounded by the identification card  22 . The cover  20 , thus, covers and protects the information carrying outside of the identification card  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, which shows a front view of the key  10 , the tab  18  has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the aperture  16 . As shown, the tab  18  has a rectangular shape, but is smaller and thinner than the aperture  16 . Since the tab  18  is smaller than the aperture  16 , a spacing is left between the tab  18  and the interior walls  11  of the aperture  16 . 
     In one embodiment, the aperture  16  is fabricated at the same time the stem  14  is swaged. For example, the aperture  16  may be punched out from the head  12 . The tab  18  may then be attached to one of the interior walls  11 . In another embodiment, the tab  18  may be made through cutting a part of the head  12  out and leaving the tab  18  inside the aperture  16 . The thickness of the tab  18  may be reduced as desired. 
     In one embodiment, a free end of the tab  18  may be beveled to assist sliding the cover  20  over the tab  18 . In addition, an edge section  13  of the aperture  16  also may be beveled to further assist inserting the identification system into the aperture  16 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the key  10  and an illustration of how the cover  20  covers the identification card  22  so that it is secured and protected during use. The cover  20  is removable so that the identification information can be updated. The combined thickness of the tab  18 , the identification card  22  and the cover  20  is selected so that the total thickness of the assembled key  10  does not exceed the original thickness of the head  12 . 
     FIGS. 4-6 show a perspective, a front view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a second embodiment of a key  10  with an identification system. The key  10  has an aperture  16  with a tab  28  positioned therein. The aperture  16 , which has four interior walls  11 , and the tab  28  have both rectangular shapes. Unlike in the first embodiment, the tab  28  is attached to one of the long interior walls  11 . The tab  28  receives the identification system in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the key  10 . 
     The identification system includes an identification card  22  and a cover  30  which are assembled and inserted into the aperture  16  as illustrated through arrows  21 ,  23 . As in the first embodiment, the identification card  22  is a paper or paperboard material with at least one side suitable for receiving written information. The identification card  22  is folded into halves to essentially cover both sides of the tab  28 . The side of the identification card  22  that includes the written information faces outside. The identification card  22  has a size that is substantially the same as that of the tab  28 . It is contemplated that instead of the folded identification card  22 , two separate, smaller cards, or a single card at only one side of the identification system may be used. 
     The cover  30  is a transparent protective material, for example, plastic, mica or polymer, and formed as a sleeve having one open end and a closed end. The cover  30  slips, open end fist, over the identification card  22  with the tab  28  being wrapped therein. The cover  30 , thus, covers and protects the outside of the identification card  22 . The  28  and an upper edge portion of the aperture  16  may be beveled to ease inserting the identification system into the aperture  16 . 
     Regarding a description of the front view of the key  10  shown in FIG.  5  and the cross sectional view of FIG. 6, reference is made to the description of FIGS. 2 and 3. Hereinafter, the identification system used in the following embodiments is generally formed by an identification card and a transparent cover that covers the identification card as explained above. The identification card may be formed by a folded card, two separate cards, or a single card for only one side of the identification system. Further, the keys of the following embodiments each have a head  12  and a stem  14 . 
     FIGS. 7-10 show a perspective view, a front view, a side view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a third embodiment of a key  10  with an identification system. A head  12  of the key  10  has an aperture  16  which receives the identification system. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture  16  has a rectangular shape and four interior walls  11 : two parallel long walls and two parallel short walls. The long walls  11  include rails  32  that extend along the long walls  11 , and one of the short walls  11  includes a rail  34  and the other short wall  11  includes a slot  36 . The slot  36  is sized so that the identification system formed by an identification card  22  and a cover  38  can be inserted and pushed into the aperture  16 . 
     In one embodiment, the cover  38  is configured to receive the folded identification card  22  between two protective surfaces. For example, the cover  38  may have an opening or a slot that receives the identification card  22 . The cover  38 , with the identification card  22  positioned, is inserted into the slot  36  and pushed into the aperture  16  until it is properly located and the information on the identification card  22  is visible. The key  10  is configured to prevent the identification card  22  being dislodged or falling out. In addition, the identification system can be secured within the key  10 , for example, through application of glue, fasteners (screws) or heat treatment. 
     FIGS. 11-13 show a perspective view, a front view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of a key  10  according to the invention with an identification system. A head  12  of the key  10  is attached to a stem  14  and has an aperture  16  which receives the identification system. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture  16  has a rectangular shape and four interior walls  11 : two parallel long walls and two parallel short walls. The long wall  11  that is in proximity of the stem  14  includes a rail  42  that extends along the long wall  11 . In addition, two projections comprising elongate posts or bars  40  extend on both sides of the rail  42  from the long wall  11  into the aperture  16 . The elongate bars  40  and the rail  42  receive a cover  44  that includes a folded identification card  22 . The cover  44  and the identification card  22  are part of the identification system. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, the elongate bars  40  are positioned at a predetermined distance from the short walls  11  and at a predetermined distance from the rail  42 . The identification card  22  is in one embodiment large enough to cover the two bars  40  and the rail  42 . The folded identification card  22  is inserted into the cover  44  as shown in FIG. 13, and both are placed over the bars  40  and the rail  42  (arrows  21 ,  23 ). The identification system may be secured within the key  10 , for example, through glue, screws, or a thermal process. 
     FIGS. 14-16 show a perspective view, a front view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a fifth embodiment of a key  10  with an identification system. A head  12  of the key  10  has an aperture  16  which receives the identification system. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture  16  has a rectangular shape and four interior walls  11 : two parallel long walls and two parallel short walls. Each long wall  11  includes a rail  46  and each short wall  11  includes a rail  48 . The aperture  16  in combination with the rails  48 ,  46  is configured to receive the identification system formed by an identification card  22  and a cover  50 . 
     The rails  48 ,  46  are slightly thinner than the thickness of the key head  12 . In one embodiment, the cover  50  includes a pair of transparent protecting covers which are sized and shaped so that they can be press-fit into the aperture  16 , holding the identification card  22  therein. The protecting covers can be made of plastic, mica, or any transparent material which can be pressed and fit into the aperture  16 . 
     FIGS. 17-19 show a perspective view, a front view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, of a sixth embodiment of a key  10  of the invention with an identification system. A head  12  of the key  10  has an aperture  16  which receives the identification system. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture  16  has an essentially rectangular shape and four interior walls  11 : two long walls and two short walls. One of the short walls and both long walls  11  include grooves  54  that extend along the walls  11 . The other short wall  11  includes a slot  56 , extending in the plane of the key lead  12  through the head and from aperture  16  to outside the key head  12 . The slot  56  is sized so that the identification system formed by an identification card  22  and a cover  52  can be inserted and pushed into the aperture  16 . 
     The grooves  54  form a sliding path inside the key head  12  for the identification system. The cover  52  includes a pair of transparent protecting covers capable of holding the identification card  22 . The cover  52  slides through the slot  56 , along the sliding path until it is completely inserted into the aperture  16  and the identification card  22  is visible through the aperture  16  on both sides of the key head  12 . 
     FIGS. 20-23 show a perspective view, a front view, a lateral cross-sectional view and a cross-sectional view, taken along line A—A in FIG. 21 in the direction indicated by the arrows, respectively, of a seventh embodiment of a key according to the invention with an identification system. More particularly, this embodiment is designed to facilitate placing the identification system over the tab  18 . The free end of tab  18  has a bevelled or inclined surface  57 . The adjacent interior wall has a similar bevelled or inclined surface  58 , in the same direction as that on tab  18 . These two surfaces,  57  and  58 , are substantially parallel to each other and define a channel or passageway between them through which the identification system, in the form of cover  20  with card  22 , can be slid to more easily fit the cover  20  over tab  18 . 
     While the above detailed description has shown, described and identified several novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the described embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussion, but should be defined by the appended claims.