Key shaft member, key bow member, and key assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a key shaft member, a key bow member, and a key assembly which make it possible to increase security without increasing the number of lock parts provided to a door or the like. A key shaft member (10) according to the present disclosure is for unlocking and locking a lock (30) by being inserted into a key hole (31a) provided to the lock (30), said key shaft member (10) being characterized by: comprising key bodies (11a, 11b) that extend along an axis parallel to the direction of insertion into the key hole (31a) and key ridge parts (13a, 13b) that are formed in respective surfaces of the key bodies (11a, 11b) and that are provided in correspondence with the arrangement of movable obstruction elements provided inside the lock (30); and being divided into two or more members at division surfaces.

Description

Key shaft member, key knob member and key assembly

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a key shaft member, a key knob, and a key assembly.

[0002] In order to prevent doors and other structures from being unlocked by fraudulent means, it is common to use rotary disc cylinder locks to increase the number of different keys or to install multiple locks on the same door to increase security (for example, non-patent document 1).

[0003] Akimoto Toshinari et al., "Unlocking Key and Lock Technology," Journal of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering, Vol. 73, No. 1, 2007, [online], 2007, Japan Society for Precision Engineering, [Retrieved July 16, 2024], Internet <https: / / www.jstage.jst.go.jp / article / jjspe / 73 / 1 / 73_1_72 / _pdf / -char / ja>

[0004] However, when trying to increase security by installing multiple locks on the same door, it can be difficult to install multiple locks due to installation space and required costs, so there is still room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] Therefore, in consideration of these points, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a key shaft member, a key knob member, and a key assembly that can increase security without increasing the number of locks installed on a door, etc.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the key shaft member of the present disclosure is a key shaft member for unlocking and locking a lock by being inserted into a keyhole provided in the lock, and is characterized by comprising a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole, and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided corresponding to the arrangement of a movable obstacle provided inside the lock, and being divided into two or more members by a dividing surface.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the key knob member of the present disclosure is a key knob member attached to the base end of a key shaft member for inserting into a keyhole provided in a lock to unlock and lock the lock, wherein the key shaft member comprises: a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole; and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided to correspond to the arrangement of a movable obstruction provided inside the lock, and is divided into two or more members by a dividing surface; a stop portion is provided on the key shaft member closer to the base end than the key ridge portion and protrudes from the key body portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis to limit the insertion of the key shaft member into the keyhole; the key knob member has a recess into which the base end of the key body portion is inserted; and when the base end of the key body portion is inserted into the recess, the tip surface of the stop portion is flush with the tip surface of the key knob member or protrudes tipward from the tip surface of the key knob member.

[0008] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the key knob member of the present disclosure is a key knob member attached to the base end of a key shaft member for inserting into a keyhole provided in a lock to unlock and lock the lock, wherein the key shaft member comprises a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole, and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided to correspond to the arrangement of a movable obstruction provided inside the lock, and is divided into two or more members by a dividing surface, wherein the key knob member has a recess into which the base end of the key body portion is inserted, and when the base end of the key body portion is inserted into the recess, the tip surface of the key knob member limits the insertion of the key shaft member into the keyhole.

[0009] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the key assembly according to the present disclosure is a key shaft member for unlocking and locking the lock by being inserted into a keyhole provided in the lock, the key shaft member having a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole, and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided corresponding to the arrangement of a movable obstacle provided inside the lock, the key shaft member being divided into two or more members by a dividing surface, and a key knob member attached to the base end of the key body portion.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a key shaft member, a key knob member, and a key assembly that can increase security without increasing the number of locks provided on a door or the like.

[0011] 1 is a front view (top view) and a cross-sectional view (bottom view) seen from the tip side of a key shaft member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, before and after assembly; FIG. 2 is a front view (top view) and a cross-sectional view (bottom view) seen from the tip side of a key shaft member (first modified example) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, before and after assembly; FIG. 3 is a front view (top view) and three cross-sectional views (bottom view) seen from the tip side of a key shaft member (second modified example) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a front view of a key assembly in which a key knob member is attached to a key shaft member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a front view of a key assembly in which a key knob member (first modified example) is attached to a key shaft member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the key assembly shown in FIG. 4 inserted into a keyway of a lock; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for assembling and using a key assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Hereinafter, a key shaft member 10, a key knob member 20, and a key assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] The key shaft member 10 according to this embodiment is a key shaft portion inserted into a keyhole 31a (see FIG. 6 ) of the lock 30, and is divided into two members by a dividing surface. Inserting this key shaft member 10 into the keyhole 31a of the lock 30 allows the lock 30 to be unlocked and locked. As shown in FIG. 1 , the key shaft member 10 according to this embodiment is composed of two members, a first key shaft member 10a and a second key shaft member 10b. As shown in the front view on the left side of FIG. 1 , the first and second key shaft members are aligned so that their longitudinal directions (the vertical direction in FIG. 1 ) are substantially parallel to each other. As shown in the cross-sectional view at the lower left of FIG. 1 , the dividing surfaces 15a1 and 15b1, 15a2 and 15b2, and 15a3 and 15b3 abut against each other to form the key shaft member 10 (see the cross-sectional view at the lower right of FIG. 1 ), which functions as a single key shaft member 10. In the example shown in Fig. 1, three pairs of dividing surfaces 15a1 and 15b1, 15a2 and 15b2, and 15a3 and 15b3 that divide the key shaft member 10 into the first key shaft member 10a with an L-shaped cross section and the second key shaft member 10b with an inverted L-shaped cross section each have a cross section as shown in the lower left of Fig. 1 and extend vertically along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole 31a (downward in Fig. 1). By dividing the key shaft member 10 by the dividing surfaces 15a1 and 15b1, 15a2 and 15b2, and 15a3 and 15b3, the second key shaft member 10b is formed to be wider in the left-right direction in Fig. 1 when viewed from the front.

[0014] By creating a dividing surface consisting of multiple surfaces, the first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b are less likely to move relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis, allowing the first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b to be always correctly positioned and used. Furthermore, by creating a complex cross-sectional shape of the dividing surface (consisting of three surfaces in this embodiment), the first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b with mismatched dividing surfaces cannot be combined and function as a key. This enhances security by preventing unauthorized unlocking even if the shape of either the key ridge 13a or 13b accidentally matches that of a key owned by another person.

[0015] The cross-sectional view shown in the lower part of Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the area between the key threads 13a, 13b and the arms 12a, 12b in the axial direction, as viewed from the tip side. The front view shown in the upper part of Fig. 1 is a view of the cross-sectional view shown in the lower part of Fig. 1 as viewed from above.

[0016] The first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b each include key bodies 11a, 11b extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole 31a (downward in FIG. 1), and ridges 13a, 13b formed on the surfaces of the key bodies 11a, 11b and arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the movable obstacles (upper pin 37U, lower pin 37L, and spring 37S in FIG. 6) provided inside the lock 30. In this embodiment, the ridges 13a, 13b are recessed inward relative to areas where the ridges 13a, 13b are not formed (in the example of FIG. 1, the areas in the axial direction between the ridges 13a, 13b and the arms 12a, 12b), but are not limited to this. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the key ridge portion 13a is recessed from the left end of the key body portion 11a of the first key shaft member 10a toward the right, and the key ridge portion 13b is recessed from the right end of the key body portion 11b of the second key shaft member 10b toward the left.

[0017] 1, arms 12a and 12b are provided axially between the key ridges 13a and 13b and the base ends 11ae and 11be (upper ends in the front view of FIG. 1), protruding in the left-right direction of the drawing, perpendicular to the axis. The arm 12a of the first key shaft member 10a protrudes leftward, and the arm 12b of the second key shaft member 10b protrudes rightward. Each of the arms 12a and 12b has three protruding portions arranged at approximately equal intervals in the axial direction, and the protruding portion located nearest the tip (lower in the drawing) functions as abutment portion 12a1 or 12b1 that restricts insertion of the key shaft member 10 into the keyhole 31a. That is, as shown in Fig. 6, when the key shaft member 10 is inserted into the keyway 31a, the distal end surfaces of the protrusions (butting portions 12a1, 12b1) located at the distal ends of the arms 12a, 12b abut against the cylinder surface 30e of the lock 30, preventing the key shaft member 10 from further entering the keyway 31a. With this configuration, as shown in Fig. 6, each recess of the key ridge portion 13a can be stopped at the axial position of the corresponding movable obstacle (upper pin 37U, lower pin 37L, and spring 37S in Fig. 6). Note that for ease of understanding, the movable obstacle corresponding to the key ridge portion 13b on the second key shaft member 10b is not shown in Fig. 6.

[0018] The key shaft member 10 shown in Fig. 2 is a modified version of the key shaft member 10 shown in Fig. 1 , and is similar to the key shaft member 10 shown in Fig. 1 except for the cross-sectional shape (lower view in Fig. 2 ) of the first and second key shaft members 10a, 10b, as viewed from the tip of the dividing plane for dividing the key shaft member 10. In Fig. 2 , the cross-sectional shapes (L-shaped and inverted L-shaped cross-sections) of the first and second key shaft members 10a, 10b shown in Fig. 1 are rotated 90 degrees clockwise. By dividing the key shaft member 10 along dividing planes 16a1 and 16b1, 16a2 and 16b2, and 16a3 and 16b3, the first key shaft member 10a is wider in the left-right direction in Fig. 2 when viewed from the front.

[0019] As described above, the key shaft member 10 in FIG. 1 and the key shaft member 10 in FIG. 2 have different shapes of the dividing surface in the cross section. Therefore, even if the key shaft member 10 in FIG. 1 and the key shaft member 10 in FIG. 2 have the same shape of the key ridge portions 13a, 13b, the first key shaft member 10a in FIG. 1 and the second key shaft member 10b in FIG. 2 cannot be combined to unlock, thereby increasing the security of the key shaft member 10.

[0020] 1, the key shaft member 10 shown in Fig. 3 has a feature in that the shape of the dividing plane in a cross section viewed from the tip side varies depending on the position along the axis (the vertical position in the figure). As shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 3, in the A-A and C-C cross sections, the second key shaft member 10b is thicker (vertical length in the cross section) than the first key shaft member 10a at the horizontal center of the figure, while in the B-B cross section, the first key shaft member 10a is thicker (vertical length in the cross section) than the second key shaft member 10b at the horizontal center of the figure.

[0021] 3, the cross-sectional shape of the dividing plane perpendicular to the axis varies depending on the axial position. This configuration prevents the first key shaft member 10a from moving relative to the second key shaft member 10b in the axial direction, thereby preventing relative axial misalignment when the first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b are combined.

[0022] The change from the A-A cross section to the B-B cross section may be discontinuous or gradual at an axial position between the axial position where the A-A cross section is defined and the axial position where the B-B cross section is defined in the upper diagram of Figure 3. Similarly, the change from the B-B cross section to the C-C cross section may be discontinuous or gradual at an axial position between the axial position where the B-B cross section is defined and the axial position where the C-C cross section is defined in the upper diagram of Figure 3.

[0023] A key knob 20 for gripping and holding the key assembly 100 is attached to the base ends 11ae, 11be of the key shaft 10 (the end on the longitudinal opposite side from the tip end that is inserted into the keyhole 31a). As shown in Figure 4, the key knob 20 has a flat plate-like outer shape that is wider than the key shaft 10 in the left-right direction of the figure to make it easier for the user to grip, and is formed with a recess 21 that accommodates the arms 12a, 12b and base ends 11ae, 11be of the key shaft 10.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the recess 21 of the key knob member 20 has a wide recess 21b that receives the arm portions 12a, 12b of the key shaft member 10, and a narrow recess 21a that is located further proximal from the second proximal end surface 21t2 of the wide recess 21b and receives the proximal ends 11ae, 11be of the key shaft member 10.

[0025] The wide recess 21b of the recess 21 has a second side surface 21s2 against which the left and right end surfaces of the arms 12a and 12b of the key shaft member 10 abut, and a second base end surface 21t2 that is the base end surface of the wide recess 21b. Similarly, the narrow recess 21a of the recess 21 has a first side surface 21s against which the left and right end surfaces of the base ends 11ae and 11be of the key shaft member 10 abut, and a first base end surface 21t that is the base end surface of the narrow recess 21a.

[0026] In this embodiment, the left and right end faces of the arms 12a, 12b abut against and fit onto the second side surface 21s2, and the left and right end faces of the base ends 11ae, 11be abut against and fit onto the first side surface 21s, thereby positioning the key shaft 10 and the key knob 20 in the left and right directions, but this is not limited to this. The key shaft 10 and the key knob 20 may also be positioned in the left and right directions by abutting only one of the arms 12a, 12b and the base ends 11ae, 11be against the left and right end faces of the recess 21.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the key shaft 10 and the key knob 20 are positioned in the axial direction with the base end faces of the base ends 11ae and 11be of the key shaft 10 abutting against the first base end face 21t of the narrow recess 21a while the base end faces of the arms 12a and 12b are spaced apart from the second base end face 21t2 of the wide recess 21b. However, this is not a limitation. Alternatively, the key shaft 10 and the key knob 20 may be positioned in the axial direction with the base end faces of the base ends 11ae and 11be of the key shaft 10 spaced apart from the first base end face 21t of the narrow recess 21a while the base end faces of the arms 12a and 12b abutting against the second base end face 21t2 of the wide recess 21b. Alternatively, the key shaft member 10 and the key knob member 20 may be configured to be positioned in the axial direction with the base end faces of the base ends 11ae, 11be of the key shaft member 10 abutting against the first base end face 21t of the narrow recess 21a and the base end faces of the arms 12a, 12b abutting against the second base end face 21t2 of the wide recess 21b.

[0028] In the example shown in Fig. 4, with the key shaft 10 and the key knob 20 positioned axially and left-right, the abutments 12a1 and 12b1 at the tips of the arms 12a and 12b protrude forward from the tip surface 23 of the key knob 20. With this configuration, when the key assembly 100, in which the key shaft 10 and the key knob 20 are attached, is inserted into the keyhole 31a of the lock 30, as shown in Fig. 6, the abutments 12a1 and 12b1 on the key shaft 10 come into contact with the cylinder surface 30e of the lock 30, determining the axial position of the key shaft 10 (the left-right position in Fig. 6).

[0029] As described above, when the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1 of the key shaft member 10 abut against the cylinder surface 30e of the lock 30, the key thread portion 13a provided on the key shaft member 10 is positioned in the axial direction of the corresponding movable obstacle (upper pin 37U, lower pin 37L, and spring 37S in FIG. 6). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the corresponding lower pin 37L enters each recess of the key thread portion 13a, the boundary between the lower pin 37L biased by the spring 37S and the upper pin 37U is aligned with the shear line 33 (the boundary between the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 35). Therefore, when the user grasps the key knob member 20 and rotates the key assembly 100 about the axis, the inner cylinder 31 of the lock 30 can be rotated relative to the outer cylinder 35, thereby locking and unlocking the lock 30.

[0030] In this way, in the example shown in Figures 4 and 6, the abutment portions 12a1, 12b1 provided on the key shaft member 10 and protruding from the key body portions 11a, 11b in a direction perpendicular to the axis also protrude toward the tip side from the tip surface 23 of the key knob member 20, and the abutment portions 12a1, 12b1 abut against the cylinder surface 30e of the lock 30, so that the key mountain portions 13a, 13b are positioned in the axial direction with the corresponding movable obstacles.

[0031] Alternatively, instead of attaching the key knob 20, which is a separate component, to the key shaft 10, a knob portion extending in the surface direction (parallel to the plane of the paper in Figure 4) on the base end side of the key shaft 10 may be formed integrally with the key shaft 10.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a modified version of the key knob member 20 shown in FIG. 4 . The key knob member 20 shown in FIG. 5 has a recess 22 having a narrow recess 22a, a wide recess 22b, a first side surface 22s, a second side surface 22s2, a first base end surface 22t, and a second base end surface 22t2. In the key knob member 20 shown in FIG. 5 , the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1 on the key shaft member 10 are recessed proximally relative to the distal end surface 23 of the key knob member 20. This configuration allows the distal end surface 23 of the key knob member 20 to abut against the cylinder surface 30e of the lock 30, thereby positioning the key ridge portions 13a and 13b axially with the corresponding movable bar. In this case, because the distal end surface 23 of the key knob member 20 functions as the abutment portion, the key shaft member 10 does not need to have the arms 12a and 12b (the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1). Therefore, the key shaft member 10 alone cannot position the key ridges 13a and 13b axially relative to the corresponding movable obstacles, and the key ridges 13a and 13b can only be positioned axially relative to the corresponding movable obstacles once the key knob members 20 are attached to the base ends 11ae and 11be of the key shaft member 10. This increases the security of the system consisting of the key assembly 100 and the lock 30.

[0033] 5, the key shaft 10 may be configured so that the user pulls the key knob 20 distally, causing the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1 of the arms 12a and 12b to project distally from the distal end surface 23 of the key knob 20, before inserting the key shaft 10 into the keyhole 31a. In this case, as in the case of FIG. 4, the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1 of the key shaft 10 position the key ridges 13a and 13b axially relative to the corresponding movable obstacles. This configuration can prevent unauthorized unlocking by a third party who does not know which portions function as abutment portions against the lock 30.

[0034] Next, the procedure for assembling and using the key assembly 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and other figures.

[0035] First, the key knob member 20 corresponding to the lock 30 is selected (step S101 in FIG. 7). The key knob member 20 corresponding to the lock 30 is, for example, a key knob member 20 as shown in FIG. 4, in which the abutment portions 12a1, 12b1 of the key shaft member 10 protrude distally from the distal end surface 23 to align the movable obstacle of the lock 30 with the key ridge portions 13a, 13b. Alternatively, the key knob member 20 may be a key knob member 20 as shown in FIG. 5, in which the distal end surface 23 aligns the movable obstacle of the lock 30 with the key ridge portions 13a, 13b.

[0036] Next, the key shaft members 10 corresponding to the lock 30 are selected and assembled (step S102 in FIG. 7). In the example of FIGS. 1 to 3, the key shaft members 10 corresponding to the lock 30 are the key shaft members 10 (first key shaft member 10a and second key shaft member 10b) having the key ridges 13a and 13b corresponding to the movable obstacles of the lock 30. Furthermore, when axial alignment between the movable obstacles and the key ridges 13a and 13b is performed using the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1, the key shaft members 10 having the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1 at appropriate axial positions are selected. Then, the first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b are assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0037] 4 or 5, the user attaches the key knob 20 to the key shaft 10 to form the key assembly 100 (step S103 in FIG. 7). To ensure that the key shaft 10 and the key knob 20 fit together with an appropriate fitting force, it is preferable to set a fitting tolerance between the recesses 21 and 22 of the key knob 20 and the arm portions 12a and 12b and base ends 11ae and 11be of the key shaft 10, or to provide undercut engagement portions.

[0038] Next, the user inserts the key shaft 10 of the key assembly 100 into the keyhole 31a (step S104 in FIG. 7) and checks whether the lock 30 can be locked and unlocked (step S105 in FIG. 7). If the lock 30 can be locked and unlocked ("Yes" in step S105 in FIG. 7), the user ends the assembly and use of the key assembly 100. On the other hand, if the lock 30 cannot be locked or unlocked ("No" in step S105 in FIG. 7), the user returns to step S101 and starts over again, starting with selecting the key knob 20.

[0039] As described above, the key shaft member 10 according to this embodiment is inserted into the keyhole 31a of the lock 30 to unlock and lock the lock 30. It includes key bodies 11a and 11b extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole 31a, and key ridges 13a and 13b formed on the surfaces of the key bodies 11a and 11b and corresponding to the arrangement of the movable obstacles inside the lock 30. The key shaft member 10 is configured to be split into two or more parts by a split surface. By adopting this configuration, key shaft members 10 with incompatible split surfaces cannot be combined with each other and cannot function as a key. Therefore, security can be increased without increasing the number of locks 30 installed on doors, etc.

[0040] In this embodiment, the key shaft 10 is configured with abutments 12a1, 12b1 protruding perpendicular to the axis from the key bodies 11a, 11b nearer the base end than the key ridges 13a, 13b. These abutments restrict the insertion of the key shaft 10 into the keyway 31a. By using this configuration, the abutments 12a1, 12b1 can be brought into contact with the cylinder surface 30e of the lock 30, positioning each recess of the key ridge 13a in the axial direction of the corresponding movable obstacle (upper pin 37U, lower pin 37L, and spring 37S in FIG. 6). Therefore, the key shaft 10 alone can position the key ridges 13a, 13b with the corresponding movable obstacle, allowing the key to function as a key.

[0041] In this embodiment, the key shaft members 10 (the first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b) divided by the dividing surface are configured to have respective ridges 13a and 13b. This configuration not only ensures that the dividing surfaces of the key shaft members 10 (the first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b) correspond to each other (i.e., the dividing surfaces can be combined), but also allows the combination of multiple ridges 13a and 13b to enhance the security of the key.

[0042] In this embodiment, the dividing surface is configured to have two or more flat surfaces parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole 31 a. This configuration makes it difficult for the multiple components of the key shaft member 10 (the first key shaft member 10 a and the second key shaft member 10 b) separated by the dividing surface to move relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis, allowing the first key shaft member 10 a and the second key shaft member 10 b to be always correctly positioned and used.

[0043] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the split surface as viewed from the tip side varies depending on the position along the axis. This prevents the first key shaft member 10a from moving axially relative to the second key shaft member 10b, thereby preventing relative axial misalignment when the first key shaft member 10a and the second key shaft member 10b are combined.

[0044] In addition, this embodiment is a key knob member 20 attached to the base end 11ae, 11be of a key shaft member 10 for unlocking and locking the lock 30 by inserting it into a keyhole 31a provided in the lock 30, and the key shaft member 10 has key bodies 11a, 11b extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole 31a, and key ridges 13a, 13b formed on the surfaces of the key bodies 11a, 11b and provided corresponding to the arrangement of movable obstacles provided inside the lock 30, and is divided into two or more members by a dividing surface, and the key ridges 13a, 13b of the key shaft member 10 are Furthermore, abutments 12a1, 12b1 are provided on the base end side of the key shaft 10, protruding from the key bodies 11a, 11b in a direction perpendicular to the axis to limit insertion of the key shaft 10 into the keyhole 31a, and the key knob 20 has a recess 21 into which the base ends 11ae, 11be of the key bodies 11a, 11b are inserted, and when the base ends 11ae, 11be of the key bodies 11a, 11b are inserted into the recess 21, the tip faces of the abutments 12a1, 12b1 are flush with the tip face 23 of the key knob 20 or protrude tipward from the tip face 23 of the key knob 20. With this configuration, the abutments 12a1, 12b1 provided on the key shaft 10 abut against the cylinder face 30e of the lock 30, thereby allowing the key ridges 13a, 13b to be positioned axially with the corresponding movable obstructions.

[0045] In addition, this embodiment provides a key knob member 20 that is attached to the base ends 11ae, 11be of a key shaft member 10 and that is inserted into a keyhole 31a provided in the lock 30 to unlock and lock the lock 30. The key shaft member 10 has key bodies 11a, 11b that extend along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole 31a, and key ridges 13a, 13b that are formed on the surfaces of the key bodies 11a, 11b and are provided to correspond to the arrangement of movable obstructions provided inside the lock 30, and is divided into two or more members by a dividing surface. The key knob member 20 has a recess 22 into which the base ends 11ae, 11be of the key bodies 11a, 11b are inserted, and when the base ends 11ae, 11be of the key bodies 11a, 11b are inserted into the recess 22, the tip surface 23 of the key knob member 20 is configured to restrict the insertion of the key shaft member 10 into the keyhole 31a. By adopting this configuration, the tip surface 23 provided on the key knob member 20 can function as a stopper and be brought into contact with the cylinder surface 30e of the lock 30, thereby positioning the key mountain portions 13a, 13b in the axial direction with the corresponding movable obstruction.

[0046] This embodiment also provides a key assembly 100, which includes a key shaft member 10 for unlocking and locking the lock 30 by inserting it into the keyhole 31a. The key shaft member 10 is divided into two or more parts by a dividing surface, and includes key bodies 11a and 11b extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole 31a, and key ridges 13a and 13b formed on the surfaces of the key bodies 11a and 11b and arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the movable obstacles provided inside the lock 30. The key assembly 100 also includes a key knob 20 attached to the base ends 11ae and 11be of the key bodies 11a and 11b. This configuration prevents key shaft members 10 with incompatible dividing surfaces from being combined with each other and prevents them from functioning as a key. Therefore, security can be enhanced without increasing the number of locks 30 installed on doors, etc.

[0047] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would easily be able to make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component, step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one.

[0048] For example, in the example shown in Figure 4, the tip surfaces of the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1 are configured to protrude toward the tip from the tip surface 23 of the key knob member 20, but this is not limited to this form, and the tip surfaces of the abutment portions 12a1 and 12b1 may be configured to be flush with the tip surface 23 of the key knob member 20.

[0049] In addition, in this embodiment, the key shaft member 10 is configured to be divided into two members by a dividing surface, but this is not limited to this form, and it may be configured to be divided into three or more members.

[0050] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0051] (Supplementary Item 1) A key shaft member for locking and unlocking a lock by being inserted into a keyhole provided in the lock, the key shaft member comprising: a key body extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole; and a ridge formed on the surface of the key body and provided corresponding to the arrangement of a movable obstruction provided inside the lock, the key shaft member being divided into two or more members by a dividing surface. (Supplementary Item 2) The key shaft member according to Supplementary Item 1, wherein the key shaft member is provided with a stop portion on the proximal side of the ridge portion to limit the insertion of the key shaft member into the keyhole. (Supplementary Item 3) The key shaft member according to Supplementary Item 1 or 2, wherein each of the key shaft members divided by the dividing surface has the ridge portion. (Supplementary Item 4) The key shaft member according to any one of Supplementary Items 1 to 3, wherein the dividing surface has two or more planes parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole. (Supplementary Item 5) The key shaft member according to any one of Supplementary Items 1 to 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the split surface as viewed from the tip direction varies depending on the position in the direction along the axis. (Appendix 6) A key knob member attached to the base end of a key shaft member for inserting into a keyhole provided in a lock to unlock and lock the lock, wherein the key shaft member comprises: a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole; and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided to correspond to the arrangement of a movable obstruction provided inside the lock, and is divided into two or more members by a dividing surface; a stop portion is provided on the key shaft member closer to the base end than the key ridge portion to limit the insertion of the key shaft member into the keyhole; the key knob member has a recess into which the base end of the key body portion is inserted; and when the base end of the key body portion is inserted into the recess, the tip surface of the stop portion is flush with the tip surface of the key knob member or protrudes tipward from the tip surface of the key knob member.(Appendix 7) A key knob member attached to the base end of a key shaft member for inserting into a keyhole provided in a lock to unlock and lock the lock, wherein the key shaft member comprises: a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole; and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided to correspond to the arrangement of a movable obstruction provided inside the lock, and is divided into two or more members by a dividing surface; the key knob member has a recess into which the base end of the key body portion is inserted; and when the base end of the key body portion is inserted into the recess, the tip surface of the key knob member limits the insertion of the key shaft member into the keyhole. (Appendix 8) A key assembly comprising: a key shaft member for unlocking and locking a lock by being inserted into a keyhole provided in the lock, the key shaft member having a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the direction of insertion into the keyhole, and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided in correspondence with the arrangement of a movable obstacle provided inside the lock, the key shaft member being divided into two or more members by a dividing surface; and a key knob member attached to the base end of the key body portion.

[0052] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Key shaft member 10a First key shaft member 10b Second key shaft member 11a, 11b Key body portion 11ae, 11be Base end portion 12a, 12b Arm portion 12a1, 12b1 Abutment portion 13a, 13b Key ridge portion 15a1, 15a2, 15a3 Divided surface 15b1, 15b2, 15b3 Divided surface 16a1, 16a2, 16a3 Divided surface 16b1, 16b2, 16b3 Divided surface 20 Key knob member 21 Recess 21a Narrow recess 21b Wide recess 21s First side surface 21s2 Second side surface 21t First base end surface 21t2 Second base end surface 22 Recess 22a Narrow recess 22b Wide recess 22s First side surface 22s2 Second side surface 22t First base end surface 22t2 Second base end surface 23 Tip surface (butting portion) 30 Lock 30e Cylinder surface 31 Inner cylinder 31a Keyhole 33 Shear line 35 Outer cylinder 37L Lower pin 37S Spring 37U Upper pin 100 Key assembly

Claims

1. A key shaft member for locking and unlocking a lock by being inserted into a keyhole provided in the lock, comprising: a key body extending along an axis parallel to the direction of insertion into the keyhole; and a key ridge formed on the surface of the key body and provided to correspond to the arrangement of a movable obstacle provided inside the lock, the key shaft member being divided into two or more members by a dividing surface.

2. A key shaft member as described in claim 1, wherein a stop portion is provided on the base end side of the key shaft member relative to the key ridge portion, protruding from the key body portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis and limiting the insertion of the key shaft member into the keyhole.

3. The key shaft member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the key shaft members divided by the dividing surface has the key ridge portion.

4. A key shaft member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dividing surface has two or more flat surfaces parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole.

5. A key shaft member as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the dividing surface as viewed from the tip varies depending on the position along the axis.

6. A key knob attached to the base end of a key shaft member for inserting into a keyhole provided in a lock to unlock and lock the lock, wherein the key shaft member comprises: a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole; and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided to correspond to the arrangement of a movable obstruction provided inside the lock, and is divided into two or more members by a dividing surface; a stop portion is provided on the key shaft member closer to the base end than the key ridge portion and protrudes from the key body portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis to limit the insertion of the key shaft member into the keyhole; the key knob member has a recess into which the base end of the key body portion is inserted; and when the base end of the key body portion is inserted into the recess, the tip surface of the stop portion is flush with the tip surface of the key knob member or protrudes tipward from the tip surface of the key knob member.

7. A key knob attached to the base end of a key shaft member for inserting into a keyhole provided in a lock to unlock and lock the lock, wherein the key shaft member comprises: a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the insertion direction into the keyhole; and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided to correspond to the arrangement of a movable obstruction provided inside the lock, and is divided into two or more members by a dividing surface; the key knob member has a recess into which the base end of the key body portion is inserted; and when the base end of the key body portion is inserted into the recess, the tip surface of the key knob member limits the insertion of the key shaft member into the keyhole.

8. A key assembly comprising: a key shaft member for locking and unlocking a lock by being inserted into a keyhole provided in the lock, the key shaft member having a key body portion extending along an axis parallel to the direction of insertion into the keyhole, and a key ridge portion formed on the surface of the key body portion and provided in correspondence with the arrangement of a movable obstacle provided inside the lock, the key shaft member being divided into two or more members by a dividing surface; and a key knob member attached to the base end of the key body portion.

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