The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 06, 2000
Dittmar Schwab, Rodgau, DE;
Valeo GmbH & Co. Schliessysteme KG, Neuss, DE;
Abstract
A flat key having a grip element (,) and a key bit (,), the grip element (,) including a casing (,) and the key bit (,) being arranged in a manner enabling it to be moved into and out of the grip element casing (,) and to be fixed in its respective extreme position. In order to provide a flat key (,) with an axially displaceable key bit (,) which has an inexpensively manufactured drive and requires relatively small dimensions, a spring (,)—preferably a scroll spring—is disposed as the drive in the grip element casing (,), the two end zones (,) of said spring each being wound spirally onto two holders (,) arranged at the side of the key bit (,). The central zone (,) of the spring (,) rests against a support (,) on the end of the key bit (,) that is situated inside the grip element casing (,), with the usual result that when the key bit (,) is inserted into the grip element casing (,) the spring (,) becomes uncoiled from the holders (,) and thus tensioned.