key

Abstract

To provide a key whose key number information can be changed or added and also can be read in an easy way.SOLUTION: A key 1 includes a key body 2 and key information 3 displayed on the surface of the key body 2. The key information 3 is a two-dimensional code 30 that can be read by a reading device. The two-dimensional code 30 is preferably displayed on a flat surface of the key body. The key body 2 has a tip 2a that can be inserted into a lock and a base end 2b on the side opposite the tip 2a, and the two-dimensional code 30 is preferably displayed on a flat base end surface 23 that is located on the base end 2b side and extends in a direction Z that intersects the direction connecting the tip 2a and the base end 2b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to keys. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, keys for opening and closing fixtures in a house are assigned a management key number to each lock and key attached to each door. The key number is engraved on the surface of the key (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Methods for engraving the key number on the surface of a key include mechanically notching the key with a press, laser printing with indelible ink, and laser marking. Of these, mechanical press engraving is widely used because it is highly resistant to deterioration over time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-13871 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With press stamping, depending on the configuration of the stamping machine, it can be difficult to add more digits to the number later. Also, there is the problem that the stamped numbers and letters can be easily misread due to deformation of the machine during stamping and uneven wear that occurs during use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a key comprising a key body and key information displayed on the surface of the key body, the key information being a two-dimensional code that can be read by a reading device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the key of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A key 1 is a component that opens and closes a lock (not shown) attached to, for example, a fixture in a house. As shown in FIG. 1, the key 1 has a key body 2 and key information 3.

[0008] As shown in Figure 1, the key body 2 has a tip 2a, a base end 2b, an insertion portion 21, a grip portion 22, and a base end surface 23. The tip 2a is the end that allows the key body 2 to be inserted into the opening of the lock. The base end 2b is the side that faces the tip 2a of the key body 2 on the opposite side to the direction in which the insertion portion 21 is inserted, and is the end that can be held when the key 1 is in use. The key body 2 has a shape that is vertically long along the direction connecting the tip 2a and the base end 2b, and has a width and a thickness.

[0009] The insertion portion 21 is a long portion that is inserted into the opening of the lock's cylinder to open and close the lock. The tip of the insertion portion 21 is the tip 2a of the key body 2. The insertion portion 21 is machined to fit the internal shape of the lock, as required for opening and closing the key 1. The insertion portion 21 may be notched as shown in FIG. 1, may be saw-toothed, or may have a depression like a so-called dimple key.

[0010] The grip portion 22 is located on the base end 2b side of the key body 2 and is a part that can be held during use. The base end of the grip portion 22 is the base end 2b of the key body 2. As shown in FIG. 1 , the grip portion 22 has a flat shape that can be held between the fingertips during use, and is formed, for example, in the shape of a thin rectangular parallelepiped with rounded corners. The grip portion 22 has a grip portion front surface 22a, a grip portion back surface 22b, and a grip portion end surface 22c, and is composed of a grip portion main body 220 and a cover member 4.

[0011] The grip surface 22a and the grip back surface 22b have flat surfaces. The grip surface 22a and the grip back surface 22b may be, for example, rectangular with rounded corners in a plan view. The grip end surface 22c is a surface connecting the grip surface 22a and the grip back surface 22b. The grip end surface 22c is located on the base end 2b side of the key body 2 and extends in the thickness direction Z of the key body 2. In this specification, the thickness direction Z is a direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction Y connecting the base end 2b and the tip end 2a of the key body 2 and the width direction X, which is shorter than the longitudinal direction Y and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0012] The grip body 220 is a metal part that is formed integrally and continuously with the insertion part 21. The grip body 220 is a core part that forms the shape of the grip part 22. In FIG. 1, the grip body 220 is shown by a dashed line because it is covered by a cover member 4, which will be described later.

[0013] The base end surface 23 is a flat surface located on the base end 2b side of the key body 2 and extends in the thickness direction Z of the key body 2. The base end surface 23 is located on the surface of the grip body 220 on the grip end surface 22c side, and is formed in approximately the center of the grip end surface 22c in the width direction X.

[0014] The cover member 4 is a resin member that covers the grip portion main body 220 and, together with the grip portion main body 220, constitutes the grip portion 22. The cover member 4 constitutes the grip portion front surface 22a, the grip portion back surface 22b, and the grip portion end surface 22c excluding the base end surface 23. The cover member 4 has an opening 41, an edge portion 42, and a step 43. The opening 41 is a polygonal through-hole formed in a portion of the grip portion main body 220 that corresponds to the base end surface 23. The edge portion 42 is the periphery of the opening 41 and is disposed around the base end surface 23. The step 43 is formed between the edge portion 42 and the base end surface 23. In other words, because the resin cover member 4 covers the metal grip portion main body 220, the base end surface 23 is disposed in a position recessed from the periphery of the base end surface 23 of the grip portion 22 at the opening 41 where the base end surface 23 is exposed. Therefore, a step 43 corresponding to the thickness of the cover member 4 is formed between the base end surface 23 and the surrounding area of the base end surface 23 .

[0015] The key information 3 is a two-dimensional code 30 that has information in both the vertical and horizontal directions. The two-dimensional code 30 may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The key information 3 is represented in a two-dimensional form and is displayed on the flat surface of the key body 2. Specifically, the key information 3 is engraved on the base end surface 23 by laser marking. The key information 3 is configured to be readable by a reading device, such as an electronic device such as a smartphone. The reading device is equipped with automatic recognition technology and has a dedicated reading application installed. The key information 3 includes information necessary for duplicating the key, such as the individual key's management number.

[0016] This embodiment provides the following advantages. The key 1 includes a key body 2 and key information 3 displayed on the surface of the key body 2, and the key information 3 is configured as a two-dimensional code 30 that can be read by a reading device. By using the two-dimensional code 30 as the key information 3, which can be read by a reading device, it is possible to easily change the key information 3 even if the number of digits in the management number increases or the information to be assigned changes later. By using the two-dimensional code 30 as the key information 3, it is less likely to wear or deform than when engraved using a mechanical method, and it can be read accurately.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the two-dimensional code 30 is displayed on the flat surface of the key body 2. This makes the key information 3 easier to read and display.

[0018] In this embodiment, the key body 2 includes a tip 2a that can be inserted into a lock and a base 2b opposite the tip 2a. The two-dimensional code 30 is displayed on a flat base end surface 23 located on the base end 2b side and extending in a thickness direction Z, which intersects the direction connecting the tip 2a and the base end 2b. Displaying the two-dimensional code 30 on the base end surface 23 extending in the thickness direction Z makes it difficult to clearly capture the two-dimensional code 30 even when a photograph is taken with the key 1 placed on a desk. In recent years, there have been cases of crimes involving taking a photograph of another person's key and duplicating the key based on the captured key information. Conventionally, key information was engraved on the flat surface of the grip, and the key information was captured in a photograph taken from the flat surface. However, displaying the key information 3 on the base end surface 23 extending in the thickness direction Z of the key body 2 makes it difficult to see and photograph, thereby improving the security of the key 1.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the key body 2 is configured to include a grip portion 22 on the base end 2b side that can be held during use. The base end surface 23 is positioned at a position on the grip portion 22 that is recessed from the periphery of the base end surface 23. Because the base end surface 23 is recessed from its periphery and a step 43 is formed between the base end surface 23 and the periphery of the base end surface 23, when touching the surface extending in the thickness direction Z on the base end 2b side of the key 1, the user touches the edge portion 42 around the base end surface 23. The user does not touch the base end surface 23, which is recessed from the edge portion 42. This makes it less likely for the two-dimensional code 30 to deteriorate due to wear or become dirty.

[0020] According to this embodiment, the two-dimensional code 30 is engraved by laser marking. This makes it easier to engrave the key information 3 accurately and reliably even if the area of the surface on which the key information 3 is to be engraved is small.

[0021] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc., within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. A removable cap may be provided at a position recessed from the periphery of the base end surface 23 of the grip portion 22 to cover the base end surface 23. This allows the base end surface 23 to remain exposed except when reading the two-dimensional code 30, thereby further preventing wear and dirt from adhering.

[0022] In the above embodiment, the surface of the gripper body 220 is covered with a resin cover member 4, but the entire key may be made of metal without the cover member 4. In this case, the base end surface displaying the key information 3 is formed in a position recessed from the periphery of the base end surface of the metal gripper. In other words, by positioning the periphery of the base end surface of the gripper in a position that protrudes from the base end surface toward the base end, the key information displayed on the base end surface can be protected from wear and dirt.

[0023] The grip portion 22 may be elliptical or feather-shaped, or may be substantially cylindrical with a diameter equal to the width of the insertion portion 21. The shape of the grip portion 22 is designed to match the design of the key. In the above embodiment, the base end surface 23 is formed as a flat surface, but may also be a curved surface. In the above embodiment, the key information 3 is engraved by laser marking, but may also be printed by laser printing. The method of displaying the key information 3 is not limited. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code is not limited to a QR code (registered trademark). The reading device may be a general-purpose device including other functions, such as a smartphone, or may be a dedicated device that reads only the key information 3. The reading device may read the two-dimensional code using an optical method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] 1 key, 2 key body, 3 key information, 22 grip, 23 proximal end, 30 two-dimensional code, 2a tip, 2b proximal end

Claims

1. A key body and key information displayed on the surface of the key body, the key information is a two-dimensional code that can be read by a reading device, The key body has a tip that can be inserted into a lock, a base end opposite the tip, an insertion portion formed between the tip and the base end, and a grip portion that is disposed on the base end side and can be held during use, the grip portion has a flat base end surface extending in a direction intersecting a direction connecting the tip end and the base end, The two-dimensional code is displayed on the base end surface.

2. The base end surface is disposed at the bottom of a recess recessed inward from an opening formed on the base end side surface of the gripping portion, The key according to claim 1 , wherein a step is formed between the base end surface and the base end side surface of the grip portion.

3. The gripping portion has a gripping portion main body formed continuously from the insertion portion, and a cover member covering the gripping portion main body, The key according to claim 2 , wherein the base end surface is disposed within the opening, and the step is formed between the base end surface and a periphery of the opening of the cover member.

4. A key as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein a removable cap is provided in the recess, and the base end surface is covered by the cap.

5. A key described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insertion portion has a notch formed on a curved surface.

6. The key according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the two-dimensional code is engraved by laser marking.

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