Key management device comprising at least one open case equipped with a lockable connector
A single-piece key management case with a lockable connector automatically secures keys without through holes, addressing inefficiencies and costs in existing systems by ensuring automated and secure key storage.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024000456
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-01-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing key management systems are inefficient and costly for managing keys without through holes, particularly due to the need for multiple components and manual intervention for unlocking and locking.
A key management device with a single-piece case that automatically closes when connected to a panel via a lockable connector, ensuring the case is secured and preventing key extraction without unlocking the connector.
Provides secure and automated key management for keys without through holes, reducing costs and enhancing security by eliminating the need for manual locking mechanisms.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Key management device comprising at least one open case equipped with a lockable connector
[0001] The present application relates to a key management device comprising at least one open case equipped with a lockable connector.
[0002] According to an embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], a key management device comprises a panel 10 which supports a plurality of connectors 12, each having a first part 14 fixed to the panel 10 and a second part 16 configured to cooperate with the first part 14 and occupy a first locked state in which the first and second parts 14, 16 of the connector 12 are connected to each other and are inseparable, and an unlocked state in which the second part 16 is detached from the first part 14. In addition, the key management device also comprises a control system 18 for monitoring the locked or unlocked state of each connector 12 and for establishing traceability of the locked or unlocked state of each connector 12.
[0003] According to one configuration, the first part 14 is a female part. In addition, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the second part 16 is a male part configured to cooperate with the female part.
[0004] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig.2], the key 20 includes a through hole 20.1. In this case, the second part 16 of the connector 12 includes a loop 22 which passes through the through hole 20.1 of the key 20.
[0005] This embodiment cannot function if the key does not include a through hole.
[0006] According to an embodiment shown in [Fig. 3], the key management device comprises at least one case 24 which includes: a. a container 26 substantially parallelepiped-shaped, one face of which forms an opening 26.1, b. a cover 28 which slides relative to the container 26 between an open position in which the cover 28 at least partially clears the opening 26.1 and allows a key to be placed in the container 26 and a closed position in which the cover 28 closes the opening 26.1 of the container 26.
[0007] The container 26.1 has, on a lateral face 26.2 adjoining the opening 26.1, a second part 16 of a connector 12 capable of cooperating with a first part 14 of the connector 12 attached to the panel 10. In addition, the lid 28 has an L-shape and includes a first wing 28.1 configured to sliding relative to the container 26 and sized to close the opening 26.1 of the container 26 in the closed position, as well as a second wing 28.2 configured to be pressed against the side face 26.2 when the lid 28 is in the closed position. This second wing 28.2 includes a cutout 28.3 to allow passage of the second part 16 of the connector 12.
[0008] When the second part 16 of the connector 12 is detached from the first part 14, the cover 28 can slide relative to the container 26, thus allowing a key to be placed in or removed from the case 24. When the second part 16 of the connector 12 is fixed to the first part 14, the second wing 28.2 of the cover 28 is positioned between the panel 10 and the container 26 (more specifically, its lateral face 26.2). At this point, the cover 28 is in the closed position and cannot be opened. In order to retrieve the key positioned in the case 24, the control system 18 must unlock the connector 12 to allow the second part 16 of the connector 12 to be detached from the first part 14. With the case 24 no longer fixed against the panel 10, the cover 28 can be opened.
[0009] This embodiment, suitable for keys without a through hole, is relatively expensive.
[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.
[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a key management device comprising a panel and at least one case which includes a shell delimiting a cavity sized to contain at least one key and provided with an opening to communicate the cavity and the outside of the shell, the case including at least one part of a connector configured to cooperate with another part of the connector integral with the panel, the connector being configured to occupy a first locked state in which the two parts of the connector are connected together and inseparable and an unlocked state in which the two parts of the connector are separated.
[0012] According to the invention, the shell and the connector part are positioned so that when the two parts of the connector are connected and in the locked state, the opening is closed by the panel.
[0013] Thus, unlike the prior art, the case comprises only one piece. It is automatically closed by the panel when the case is connected to the panel by the connector in the locked state.
[0014] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:
[0015] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a key cabinet illustrating an embodiment of the prior art,
[0016] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of part of a connector, allowing to connecting a key to a panel of a key management device, illustrating an embodiment of the prior art,
[0017] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a case for a key management device illustrating a method of realizing earlier art,
[0018] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of part of a key management device illustrating one embodiment of the invention,
[0019] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view from a first viewing angle of a case of a key management device illustrating one embodiment of the invention,
[0020] [Fig.6] is a perspective view from a first viewing angle of a case of a key management device illustrating one embodiment of the invention,
[0021] [Fig.7] is a perspective view from a second viewing angle of the visible case on [Fig.6],
[0022] [Fig.8] is a top view of a case connected to a panel of a management device of keys illustrating one embodiment of the invention.
[0023] According to an embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 8, a key management device comprises: a. a panel 30 which has a front face F30, b. connectors 32 each comprising a first part 34, integral with the panel 30 and positioned at its front face F30, and a second part 36 configured to cooperate with the first part 34 and occupy a first locked state in which the first and second parts 34, 36 of the connector 32 are connected and inseparable, and an unlocked state in which the first and second parts 34, 36 are separated, c. at least one control system 38 enabling control of the locked or unlocked state of each connector 32.
[0024] The control system 38 can be configured to establish traceability of the state of each connector 32 or to manage access permissions to keys, for example. Of course, the control system 38 can be programmed to perform other functions. No further details are provided, as it can be identical to those of the prior art.
[0025] According to one embodiment, the key management device includes a cabinet in which the panel 30 is positioned. The panel 30 and the cabinet are not described further as they may be identical to those of the prior art.
[0026] According to one configuration, the first part 34 attached to the panel 30 is a female part configured to house the second part 36, referred to as the male part. According to another configuration, the first part 34 attached to the panel 30 is a male part configured to fit into a second part 36, referred to as the female part.
[0027] The key management device includes at least one case 40 sized to contain at least one key 42. This case 40 is more particularly suited for a key without a through hole.
[0028] This case 40 includes a shell 44 which delimits a cavity 46 dimensioned to contain the key 42 and has an opening 48 allowing communication between the cavity 46 and the outside of the shell 44, said opening 48 being dimensioned to allow the passage of the key 42. The shell 44 has a substantially constant thickness.
[0029] The case 40 includes at least a second part 36 of a connector 32 allowing the case 40 to be connected to a first part 34 of the connector 32 attached to the panel 30.
[0030] According to a particular feature of the invention, the shell 44 and the second part 36 of the connector 32 are connected so that when the second part 36 of the connector 32 is connected to the first part 34 of the connector 32 and in the locked state, the opening 48 is closed by the panel 30.
[0031] According to one embodiment, the opening 48 is delimited by an edge 48.1 positioned in a contact plane P48. In addition, the housing 44 and the second part 36 of the connector 32 are connected such that when the second part 36 of the connector 32 is connected to the first part 34 of the connector 32 and in the locked state, the contact plane P48 is in contact with, or slightly separated from, the front face F30 of the panel 30, as illustrated in [Fig. 8]. By "slightly separated," it is understood that the distance between the contact plane P48 and the front face F30 is less than 5 mm, and preferably less than 2 mm. In all cases, the contact plane P48 is so close to the front face F30 of the panel 30 that a key 42 positioned in the cavity 46 cannot be extracted from the case 40.
[0032] Unlike the prior art, the case 40 comprises only one piece. It is automatically closed by the panel 30 when connected to the panel 30 by a connector 32.
[0033] The edge 48.1 is continuous around the entire perimeter of the opening 48 and is in the form of a bezel a few millimeters wide.
[0034] The case 40 includes a boss 50, integral with the shell 44, which has a contact face 50.1 positioned in the contact plane P48 at the level of which is positioned the second part 36 of the connector 32.
[0035] The edge 48.1 and the contact face 50.1 are coplanar.
[0036] In one configuration, the shell 44 is substantially parallelepiped-shaped and the opening 48 is substantially rectangular. In this configuration, the shell 44 comprises first and second large walls 44.1, 44.2, which are slightly spaced apart and substantially perpendicular to the contact plane P48, as well as first and second small walls 44.3, 44.4 connecting the first and second large walls walls 44.1, 44.2 and substantially perpendicular to the contact plane P48, the large and small walls 44.1 to 44.4 delimiting at one end the opening 48 and being connected at a second end by a bottom 44.5.
[0037] The hull 44 and the boss 50 are made in one piece.
[0038] According to one embodiment, the case 40 is made of plastic and obtained by Molding, injection molding, or additive manufacturing. Of course, the invention is not limited to this material or manufacturing technique. Thus, the 40 case could be made from another material and / or using another manufacturing technique in order to obtain the least expensive 40 case possible.
[0039] According to one embodiment, the case 40 includes a notch 52 passing through the shell 44 to allow visual inspection of whether a key 42 is present in the case 40. This notch 52 is positioned opposite the opening 48 and sized to prevent the passage of a key 42 but to allow the passage of a user's finger. This notch 42 allows the user to push the key in order to extract it from the shell 44.
Claims
Demands
1. Key management device comprising a panel (30) and at least one case (40) which includes a shell (44) delimiting a cavity (46) sized to contain at least one key (42) and provided with an opening (48) for communication between the cavity (46) and the outside of the shell (44), the case (40) including at least one part (36) of a connector (32) configured to cooperate with another part (34) of the connector (32) integral with the panel (30), the connector (32) being configured to occupy a first locked state in which the first and second parts (34, 36) of the connector (32) are connected together and inseparable and an unlocked state in which the first and second parts (34), 36) of the connector (32) are separated;characterized in that the shell (44) and part (36) of the connector (32) are positioned so that when the parts (36) of the connector (32) are connected and in the locked state, the opening (48) is closed by the panel (30).
2. Key management device according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (48) is delimited by an edge (48.1) positioned in a contact plane (P48) in contact with or slightly separated from the panel (30) when the parts (34, 36) of the connector (32) are connected and in the locked state.
3. Key management device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the case (40) includes a boss (50), integral with the shell (44), which has a contact face (50.1) positioned in the contact plane (P48) at the level of which is positioned part (36) of the connector (32).
4. Key management device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shell (44) and the boss (50) are made in one piece.
5. A key management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the shell (44) comprises first and second large walls (44.1, 44.2) that are slightly spaced apart and substantially perpendicular to the contact plane (P48), as well as first and second small walls (44.3, 44.4) connecting the first and second large walls (44.1, 44.2) and substantially perpendicular to the contact plane (P48). walls (44.1 to 44.4) delimiting at one end the opening (48) and being connected at a second end by a bottom (44.5).
6. Key management device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the case (40) includes a notch (52) through the shell (44) to visualize whether a key (42) is present in the case (40).
7. Key management device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the notch (52) is positioned opposite the opening (48) and sized so as not to allow the passage of a key (42) and to allow the passage of a user's finger.