Dismountable Key With Segmented Blade And Intermediary Grab Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing key designs are cumbersome, heavy, and vulnerable to unauthorized access due to their size and weight, with limited resistance to lockpicking and forced entry methods, and they do not easily accommodate multiple locks without increasing complexity or compromising security.

Innovation Solution

A dismountable key design that separates into parts during the working stroke of the lock, utilizing a standardized grab and key secrets that can be connected to a single shank and bow, with a docking mechanism that delivers the key secret deep into the lock, and a keyhole barrier system to prevent external access to the secret mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional key designs are used, then keys can operate multiple locks, but the key bundles become heavy and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate multiple locksVSAvoidweight of key bundle

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The key is divided into separate components: a shank with bow, a grab mechanism, and replaceable key secrets. Each key secret can be detached and replaced independently, allowing users to carry only the necessary key secrets rather than multiple complete keys, thereby reducing the overall weight and size of the key bundle while maintaining the ability to operate multiple locks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If traditional key designs are used, then keys are simple in structure, but they are vulnerable to lockpicking and unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidresistance to unauthorized access

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grab mechanism serves as an intermediary component between the shank and the key secret. During the working stroke, the grab disconnects the key secret from the shank, creating a temporary separation that prevents direct transmission of forcing forces from lockpicking tools to the key secret. This intermediary mechanism maintains structural simplicity while significantly enhancing resistance to unauthorized access methods such as lockpicking and bumping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The key incorporates dynamic behavior through the grab mechanism that automatically disconnects the key secret during the working stroke. This dynamic separation transforms a static, vulnerable key structure into a dynamic system that adaptively changes its configuration during operation, providing enhanced security against forced entry while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If keys are made larger to accommodate multiple key secrets, then more locks can be operated, but the key dimensions and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of operable locksVSAvoidkey dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of integrating multiple key secrets into a single large key structure, the invention segments the key secrets into separate, detachable components. Users can attach only the key secrets needed for specific locks to a standard-sized shank, thereby maintaining compact key dimensions while preserving the ability to operate multiple locks by simply changing the attached key secret.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the key secret is delivered deep into the lock, then lockpicking resistance increases, but the keyhole becomes accessible for unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelockpicking resistanceVSAvoidexternal access to secret mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grab mechanism acts as a mediator that controls the timing of key secret delivery. The key secret is transmitted deep into the lock only during the brief moment when the grab is connected to the shank and the key is properly positioned. After the working stroke completes, the grab automatically disconnects the key secret, preventing continuous external access to the secret mechanism while still allowing deep delivery during the critical unlocking moment, thereby maintaining both lockpicking resistance and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11840863B2Key having a catch and a replaceable blade, lock, and operating method thereof (variants)

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 SALIMOV ILDAR IBRAGIMOVICH

AI summary

Proposed is a group of inventions relating to locking mechanisms, containing keys which can be separated into parts and which have catches and a plurality of replaceable blades which fit a plurality of locks, the replaceable blades of the keys of all of said locks attach to the catches of one key part having a bow, thus reducing the weight and overall size of a bunch of keys, allowing a person to carry only one key part having a bow and a plurality of key blades pertaining to different locks, reducing the weight and size of a bunch of keys, and a lock having corresponding mating mechanisms, increasing the security of the locking mechanism. The drawing shows the position of two catches on a key shank, using the example of a key to a pin-tumbler mechanism.