Lock key ejector
United States Patent l l- Messera et al.  
 [ Apr. 29, 1975 LOCK KEY EJECTOR 3.492.843 2/1970 Schieber........................=...... 70/388 Inventors: Louis Messera; u c es er 3,826.] l6 7/l974 Messera 70/388 both of 28 Spring St., Oyster Bay. N Y l [77] Primary E.\&#39;aminerRobert L. Wolfe 1 FI d M 8 9 4 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Browdy &amp; Neimark 1e ar.  
  21 A l. N 452,367 I 1 pp 0 57 ABSTRACT Related US. Application Data A k t t d l k b ey ac ua e oc comprises a core mem er con- [63] fi May nected to the barrel, and a push-rod and a plunger in- I v side the core member. When a key is inserted in the [52] Cl 70/388 lock, the push-rod and the plunger are pushed back [5]] Int Cl 17/00 into the core. Rotation of the key starts the ignition. [58] Fieid 200/44 45 When the key is returned to the neutral position, the  
  plunger is energized and propelled forward. The [56] References cued plunger, in turn, pulls the push-rod forward to eject UNITED STATES PATENTS the 3.425.248 2/[969 Duval 70/421 4 Claims, 7 Drnwing Figures I2 56 I6 x. 26 1.7.2 &#34;&#39;:3:{;?;-:  
  L l I i I k I LOCK KEY EJECTOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The instant application is a continuation-impart of our application Ser. No. 356,787, filed May 2, I973 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,826,l l6.  
 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to locking devices and, more particularly, a key-ejecting lock which utilizes means for ejecting the key from the lock when the lock is in a non-operating position.  
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Motorists often inadvertently leave the key in the ignition switch of automobiles and the unauthorized use or theft of the automobile therefrom has long been a problem of great concern. Similar problems also exist to various other types of locks such as door locks, cabinet locks, and the like.  
  Prior art devices have attempted to provide a mechanism for forcing the key out of the lock when the key is in the neutral or inoperative position. These prior art devices generally fall into two categories. The first involves a spring mechanism disposed between the face of the lock and the handle position of the key. The sec ond, involves a spring mechanism provided to engage one end of the key, whereby the spring is disposed in interaxial or coaxial alignment with the key.  
  A primary drawback of these devices, and thus the reason that they are not currently being used extensively, is the pressure continually exerted on the key which causes excessive wear of the key and of the lock mechanism associated with the key, thus causing a relative short life of both the key and the lock mechanism. Other systems are known wherein the pressure of the spring mechanism must first be overcome in order to insert the key into the barrel of the lock. Similarly, such systems create undue attrition on both the key and the lock barrel and are therefore objectionable.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, such as indicated above, and to provide for improved key ejecting and reduced theft.  
  Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact key-ejecting lock which is capable of use in cabinet and house locks or any other place where a source of electrical potential is located, as well as automobiles.  
  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide key-ejecting means adaptable to different lock components.  
  Still another object is the provision of a key ejecting means having two plungers so as to eliminate the hammering impact on the key. by having the impact absorbed by the front plunger.  
  A further object is to provide a key ejecting device which is simple in construction, and economical in manufacture, easily and quickly installed, and highly efficient in use.  
  In furtherance of these and other objects, the principal feature of the instant invention is a key-ejecting means whereby the existence of pressure against either the key or the lock-barrel during the insertion of the key thcreinto or the retention of the key therein. has  
 been obviated. Accordingly, another feature of the present invention is a key-ejecting means which becomes operative only when the key is turned to the inoperative position whereby at such time the key is ejected from the lock barrel. Thus, the shortcomings of prior art key ejectors are satisfactorily overcome by the present invention.  
  The key ejecting means of the present invention is characterized by a counterbored plunger, a drive pin for returning a sliding electrical contact member to a normally open position after ejection of the key, a spring-urged stop-pin for retaining the sliding electrical contact member in such a way as to maintain an open circuit in a neutral position after ejection of the key and cam means carried by the sliding electrical contact member for urging the stop-pin outward. The keyejector also includes solenoid means for propelling the plunger into contact with a push-rod which is urged against the end of the key. The solenoid being energized only when the key is turned to the inoperative position and de-energized upon accomplishment of the key ejecting operation.  
  For a better understanding of the invention a possible embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the attached drawing, it being understood that this embodiment is to be intended as merely exemplary and in no way limitative.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a cross-sectional elevation of the lock-key ejector prior to the insertion of the key or when the key has been returned to the neutral position and it is being ejected.  
  FIG. la is a partial cross-sectional view showing the electrical contacts carried by the half-collar in the position of FIG. 1.  
  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the lock-key ejector when the key has been inserted and rotated to an operable position.  
  FIG. 2a is a partial cross-sectional view showing the electrical contacts carried by the half-collar in the position of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the core member and its related components.  
  FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram representative of the electrical components and their cooperative relationships as utilized in the present device.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an ignition-lock housing 10 which is essentially cylindrical in configuration and which has a smaller portion at one end forming the standard ignition lock tumbler l2. Protruding through the center of the lock tumbler I2 is a push-rod 14, which passes through a drive dog I6 dividing the lock tumbler I2 from the housing 10. The pushrod I4 also passes through a central bore in a cylindrical plunger 18 and continues through a hollow tube 20 and a central bore in disc 22. One end of the hollow tube 20 is attached to disc 22, while the other end is attached to a flange 24 which is slidably disposed within the cylindrical plunger I8. Plunger I8 is counterbored to permit the flange 24 to slide inside for a predetermined distance. A drive pin 26 extends radially from the outer surface of disc 22. Fixedly attached to the central portion of the push-rod 14 is a disc-like plunger 28.  
  Positioned through the center of the housing and forming a guide for the plunger 28 and other components as will be described hereinbelow, is an annular core member 30. Behind the first plunger 28 and also movable along the inside of core member 30 is the second plunger 18. A spiral spring 32 is disposed about the push rod 14 between the two plungers I8 and 28.  
  Two circular flanges 34 and 36 are located within the housing 10 and are attached to the core 30, flange 34 being just forward of the coil-winding 38 and flange 36 being immediately behind the coil 38. Integral with flange 36 is a stationary half-collar 40.  
  A sliding half-collar 42 is disposed about core 30 in sliding relationship with the stationary half-collar 42. The sliding half-collar 42 is mounted for axial move ment in relation to the core 30. Two piston-like electri&#39; cal contacts 44 are fixedly imbedded in apertures 45 in the sliding half-collar 42. The smaller diameter portion of electrical contacts 44 are slidably disposed in bores 46 in the flange 36. The short leg of L-shaped terminal contacts 48 abuts the wall of half-collar 42 which faces the flange 36 and are fixedly attached to the smaller diameter portion of the electrical contact 44. The other leg of the L-shaped terminal contacts 48 are slidably disposed within slots 50 in the flange 36. Each of the two ends of the solenoid wire are attached to the undersurface of the end of the long leg of the L-shaped terminal contact 48. A spring 52 disposed between the sliding half-collar 42 and the flange 36 forces the sliding half-collar away from the flange 36. The extent of the axial movement initiated by spring 52 is governed by the soldered coupling of the solenoid ends to the L- shaped terminal contacts 48 which act as a stop when they contact flange 36. The larger diameter portion of contacts 44 extend outward from the face of the sliding half-collar 42 which faces away from the flange 36. The curved outer surface of sliding half-collar 42 includes a cam surface 54.  
  Mounted in the rear wall of housing 10 are metallic strips 56, the outer end of which form a terminal 58 for connection to the automobile battery, and the inner ends which form electrical contacts 60 for cooperation with sliding electrical contacts 44.  
  A stop-pin 62 is slidably disposed in a radial aperture 64 in the housing It]. The stop-pin 62 is urged resiliently inward by the free end of a flat spring 66. The other end of flat spring 66 being anchored to the housing 10 by means of set screws 68. The stop-pin 62 is positioned substantially above the cam surface 54 of the sliding half-collar 42. Thus, spring 66 urges stop-pin 62 inward to hold sliding half-collar 42 against the tension of spring 52, thereby maintaining an open circuit when the key is in a neutral position.  
  Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown the key ejecting switch means 76, fixed electrical contact 60 and sliding electrical contacts 42. Energization and deenergization of solenoid 38 is regulated or controlled by the relative open or closed positions of the ejecting circuit or switch means 76. More particularly, it will be understood that the solenoid 38 will receive current from a power supply 78, usually the vehicle&#39;s battery, only when the ejecting circuit or switch means 76 is in the closed position. Further, closure of the circuit shown in FIG. 5 will prevail only momentarily when the ignition key is turned from ignition or accessory to neutral.  
 Such momentary energization ceases once contact is broken between fixed electrical contact 60 and sliding electrical contacts 44.  
  In operation, when ignition key 1 is inserted into a 5 standard ignition lock tumbler 12, forming part of the housing 10, and the push-rod 14 which is fixedly attached to the front plunger 28 is pushed back inside the core 30; the push-rod l4 advances rearwardly against the force of spring 32. At this time, spring 32 between plungers l8 and 28 is being compressed as shown in FIG. 1, thereby pushing the rear plunger 28 back. Rear plunger 28, in turn, engages disc 22 and advances it and the drive-pin 26 rearwardly until the disc 22 contacts drive-dog 70 in the ignition housing 72. Despite the movement of drive-pin 26, the sliding half-collar is restrained from any axial movement by means of a stoppin 62 which holds the sliding half-collar 42 against the tension of spring 52. Consequently, the push-rod 14 exerts a force produced by the compressed spring 32 on the ignition key 1. However, this force by itself is insufficient to eject ignition key 1 from the ingnition lock tumbler 12.  
  When the key is turned to ignition or accessory, the tumbler l2 rotatably drives the core 30 through means of the self-centering drive-dog 16 which mates with the prongs at the end of the tumbler. The flanges 34 and 36 are fixedly attached to the core 30 so as to rotate there with. Upon such rotation, the cam surface 54 of the sliding half-collar 42 is moved out of engagement with the stop-pin 62 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Thus, the sliding halfcollar 42 is resiliently pushed backward through means of spring 52 so that electrical contacts 44 engage the end of the ignition contact housing 72 (See FIG. 2a). It should be understood, that sliding half-collar 42 is moved back a distance which is approximately equal to the diameter of the stop-pin 62. Thus, stop-pin 62 is located above the sliding half-collar 42 along either side of cam surface 54 (See FIG. 3).  
  Upon rotation back to the neutral position sliding electrical contacts 44 rotate into engagement with the fixed electrical contacts 60, thereby closing the circuit and energizing solenoid 38. Also, such rotation causes the stop-pin 62 to ride up on top of the high point of cam surface 54 resulting in the outwardly radial displacement of plate spring 66. The energized solenoid 38 creates a magnetic flux which draws the plunger 18 toward the ignition key 1, thereby compressing the spring 32 and driving it into the back of plunger 28 as they both push forward and eject ignition key 1 through means of the push-rod l4.  
  Plunger 28 is counterbored to permit flange 24 to slide inside for a predetermined distance. After plunger 18 has traveled this distance, it will pull flange 24, hollow tube and disc 22 until the drive-pin 26 engages the sliding half-collar 42 and moves it far enough so that stop-pin 62 falls off the edge of cam surface 54. As noted hereinabove, plate spring 66 urges stop-pin 62 inwardly to hold the sliding half-collar 42 against the force of spring 52. Thus, an open circuit is maintained when the key is in the neutral position (See FIG. la).  
  Referring now to FIG. 5, it has been determined that the inclusion of a delayed circuit closing means, such as heat-responsive heating element 86, in series with the key-ejecting switch means 76 provides the user with an increment of time sufficient for removal of the band from the key after turning the latter from ignition or accessory to neutral, prior to energization of the solenoid 38. Such delayed energization of the solenoid 38 permits the plunger 18 to commence its movement toward the key after the hand of the user leaves the key and provides plunger momentum otherwise absent if the plunger was ready in an abutting position with the key at the time the hand is removed therefrom. It is this plunger momentum which accounts for more positive ejection of the key. The switching element 82 is of conventional construction and may be a simple directional signal flasher used on automobiles. That is, e.g., the switch opens and closes the circuit in response to the cyclical heating and cooling of a bimetallic element 84 which controls the disposition of the switch. An electrical resistance member 86 becomes heated upon poassage of current therethrough and, in turn, heats the bimetallic member and causes the latter to flex into a switch-closing position. Once the bimetallic member so flexes it moves away from the resistance member and after a short time cools and thereby returns to its normal switch open position, whereafter it is again heated to repeat the cycle.  
  it will be appreciated that the ejection of the key will be accomplished with or without the use of the aforedescribed relay circuit closing means 82, utilization thereof, however, being preferable. Moreover, when used in automobiles, the instant invention may also be provided with the buzzing circuit means of our pending patent application, Ser. No. 356,786.  
  It should be understood that the terminals, electrical contact points, etc. can all be molded in their respective parts, i,e., screws are not necessarily needed to attach the metal parts to the plastic ones. Also it should be noted that the instant invention is an improvement of the devices in our earlier US. Pat. Nos. 3,390,560 and 3,39l,260, and out patent application, Ser. No. 356,786.  
  The foregoing description of this specific embodiment will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiment without departing from the generic concept and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiment. it is to be further understood that the phraseology or teminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.  
 What is claimed is:  
  1. In a key operated lock having means to eject the key comprising an ignition means, movable by means of the key, for opening and closing sets of electrical contacts in response to the position of said ignition means, said ignition means being adapted to be electrically connected to a source of electrical potential and including a tubular core member, push-rod means, including a push-rod disposed in a position to come into contact with the key for moving in a first axial direction upon insertion of the key and moving in a second, opposite direction to eject said key, said push-rod extending through said core member, and a first plunger slidably disposed within said core and fixedly attached to said push-rod; and a key ejection means for ejecting the key from said ignition means in response to the motion of said ignition means, said key ejection means having a magnetic coil wound around said core, a second plunger means slidably disposed within said core for moving axially in the said second direction within said core in response to the attraction of said magnetic coil, said push-rod extending through and axially disposable within said second plunger and electrical means for energizing said coil in response to the motion of said ignition means, wherein said first plunger is located within the path of travel of said second plunger means, the improvement wherein:  
 said second plunger includes a counterbored portion facing the key end of the lock; and  
 wherein the key operated lock further includes a hollow tube slidably disposed within said second plunger about said push-rod, said hollow tube having a flange fixedly positioned about the end of said hollow tube nearest the key end of the lock, said flange slidably disposed within said counterbored portion of said second plunger, and a disc fixedly connected to the opposite end of said hollow tube, said disc having a central bore in alignment with said hollow tube through which said push-rod may pass,  
 whereby upon energization of said magnetic coil said second plunger means moves axially within said core in said second direction and engages said first plunger thereby causing the axial movement of said first plunger and said push-rod in said second direction and the ejection of the key.  
 2. The lock of claim I wherein said electrical means for energizing said coil comprises:  
 a first electrical contact means connected to said coil for intermittently connecting said coil with the source of potential;  
 a second electrical contact means fixedly connected to said first electrical means for supplying electricity to said first electrical contact means; and  
 a third electrical contact means for intermittently supplying electricity from the source of electrical potential to said second electrical contact means, said third electrical contact means being electrically connected to said source of electrical potential and electrically connectable and disconnectable with said second electrical contact means.  
 3. The lock of claim I further comprising:  
 a housing in which said ignition means and said key ejection means are enclosed;  
 half-collar means axially displaceably disposed about said core within said housing and rotatable with said core, including said second electrical contact means, for connecting and disconnecting said second electrical contact means with said third electrical contact means in response to the rotation of said core, and a cam surface extending radially outward from said half-collar means;  
 a flange fixedly disposed about said core and positioned adjacent the side of said half-collar facing the key end of the lock; spring disposed between said flange and said halfcollar for urging said half-collar in said first direction; and  
 stop-pin means radially displaceably disposed within the wall of said housing above said cam surface for selectively engaging and disengaging said halfcollar in response to the rotation of said core, thereby preventing and permitting the movement of said half-collar in said first direction.  
 4. The lock of claim 3 wherein said stop-pin means comprises:  
  8 in contact with said larger diameter portion of said P whereby said pin is resiliently radially urged into said housing.