Abstract:
An apparatus includes a handle and a rod coupled to the handle. A plurality of plates are coupled to the rod. Each plate from the plurality of plates defines an opening. Each plate from the plurality of plates configured to be rotatably movable with respect to the rod and linearly movable in an orthogonal direction with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the rod. The plurality of plates being collectively reconfigurable to a predetermined configuration in which the plurality of plates collectively mate with a controller.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/471,633, entitled “Mechanical Access Identifier,” filed on Sep. 12, 2003, which is a 371 of PCT/UA02/00028, entitled “Bardatchenko Method for Identifying Access Rights to Objects and to Code Information Input,” filed Jul. 10, 2002, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The invention relates generally to an identifier, and more particularly to an identifier that identifies access rights to a controller.  
         [0003]     Identifiers and controllers are used to secure doors and equipment from access or usage by unauthorized persons. The typical identifier presents a code to a controller. If the controller recognizes the code that is presented by the identifier, then the user is granted access rights.  
         [0004]     Known identifiers that control user access rights by mechanical means include a conventional key and lock, for example, a door lock and mating key. While such a key provides a simple means of controlling access rights to a controller or other objects, a typical key is permanently configured with only one code. Thus, to obtain user access rights to several different locks, a user must carry multiple keys, each key having a different code. If such a key is lost or stolen, a user may associate that key with its corresponding lock and the user may gain unauthorized access rights.  
         [0005]     Other known identifiers or keys may be configured to be used with multiple controllers. Some include the use of reconfigurable magnetic elements, which requires a more complicated mating lock system. Another type of key uses plates having varying lengths. While such identifiers are configured to have multiple code permutations, that number can be limited and the identifier may be costly and difficult to replace if lost or stolen.  
         [0006]     Thus, a need exists for an identifier that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture yet provides multiple code permutations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     An apparatus includes a handle and a rod coupled to the handle. A plurality of plates are coupled to the rod. Each plate from the plurality of plates defines an opening. Each plate from the plurality of plates configured to be rotatably movable with respect to the rod and linearly movable in an orthogonal direction with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the rod. The plurality of plates being collectively reconfigurable to a predetermined configuration in which the plurality of plates collectively mate with a controller. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an identifier, according to an embodiment of the invention shown with a portion in cut-away.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the identifier shown in  FIG. 1 , shown with a plate rotated 90 degrees about an axis A.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3-6  are alternative sectional views taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is a portion of an opening shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates an identifier  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. An identifier  10  includes a handle  60  and a code portion  50 . The code portion  50  includes a rod  52  and a set of plates  54  coupled to the rod  52  In this embodiment, six plates are shown labeled  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and  25 . Each plate from the set of plates  54  can include one or more code marker  30 . Each plate from the set of plates  54  can be configured to rotate with respect to the rod  52  about an axis A defined by the rod  52 . In this embodiment, the plate  25  nearest the handle  60  is fixedly coupled to the handle  60  such that the plate  25  does not rotate about the rod  52 .  
         [0014]     The rod  52  is coupled to the handle  60  with a spring-loaded connection that includes a spring  62 . The rod  52  is coupled to the handle  60  such that the rod  52  does not rotate about the axis A independently from the handle  60 . The handle  60  can also include a key ring opening  64 , that can be used to couple the identifier  10  to a key ring or other object.  
         [0015]     The handle  60  is configured to switch the identifier  10  between an engaged state and a disengaged state to allow a user to set the input code on the code portion  50 . When in an engaged or interlocked state, the handle  60  applies a pressure to retain the set of plates  54  in a stationary position on the rod  52 . When in a disengaged state, the handle  60  does not apply an outward pressure, thereby allowing the plates  54  to move both linearly in an orthogonal direction with respect to the rod  52  and rotationally about a circumference of the rod  52 .  
         [0016]     The plates  54  ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) each include an opening  40  configured to receive the rod  52  therethrough. The rod  52  can include an end portion  56  that extends beyond the plates  54  ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) and that is larger than the opening  40  to retain the plates  54  ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) on the rod  52 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the opening  40  can include three portions  41 ,  42 , and  43 , which in this embodiment are configured as three overlapping circular openings. Each of the portions  41 ,  42 , and  43  are configured to engage the rod  52  in an interlocking position.  FIG. 7  illustrates the rod  52  engaged within portion  42  of opening  40 .  
         [0017]     The identifier  10  is reconfigurable such that a user can selectively rotate one or more of the plates  54  ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) of the code portion  50 , and/or the handle  60 , to configure the identifier  10  with an input code. The input code can vary depending on the rotational position of the plates  54  ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) about the rod  52 , the linear position of the plates  54  ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) with respect to the rod  52 , and the position of the code markers  30  (if any) on the plates  54  ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ). Thus, the identifier  10  can be reconfigured to many different combinations or input codes.  
         [0018]     The identifier  10  can be configured with a specific input code that can be used to gain access to, for example, a controller (not shown). The controller can be, for example, a central locking system, or a door lock. The controller can be configured to detect a pre-determined input code such that when the identifier is inserted into the controller, the controller can detect whether the identifier has the correct pre-determined input code.  
         [0019]     Thus, to gain access rights, a user inserts the identifier into the controller. If the identifier has been configured with the correct input code, the controller will mechanically respond to the input code and provide access to the user.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates the identifier  10  with the plate  22  rotated 90 degrees about the axis A. Thus,  FIG. 2  illustrates the identifier  10  reconfigured with a different input code than that shown in  FIG. 1  based on the positioning of the plates  54  ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ) and the position of the code markers  30  ( 31 ,  32 ,  33 ).  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the identifier  10  taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  and illustrates one position of the rod  52 . In this figure, the rod  52  is interlocked or engaged within the portion  42  of opening  40 . In the engaged position, the plate  22  can be moved with respect to the rod  52  within the portion  42 . The rod  52  can be disengaged from the interlocking position by rotating the handle of the identifier ninety degrees in either direction about the axis A, to reposition the rod  52  with respect to plate  22 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this position, the rod  52  can be displaced in either direction along an axis B defined by the opening  40 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows the rod  52  displaced a distance d within the opening  40  along the axis B and disposed within the portion  43 . To return the rod  52  to an interlocking or engaged position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the handle  60  of the identifier  10  is rotated ninety degrees, which repositions rod  52  within portion  43 .  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0023]     The previous description of the embodiment is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the identifier may include more than one rod. Furthermore, the plate may include a plurality of passageways, or passageways configured to receive differently shaped rods. The plate may also include non-mechanical code markers, such as magnetic or optical code markers.