US3874204A - Keyhole stuffer - Google Patents

Abstract

An automobile ignition lock which employs a dummy key that may be externally locked in place in the ignition lock cylinder after the ignition key has been removed, to prevent the ignition lock from being picked. The conventional ignition lock tab is formed with a hole of a size to fit a padlock which may be put through the hole in the conventional lock tab and through a hole in the head of the dummy key to retain the dummy key in the lock.

Description

United States Patent [19] Capri i 1 Apr. 1, 1975 KEYHOLE STUFFER [75 Frank Capri, Woodside, NY.

[73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee'Organization,

Inc., New York, NY.

Inventor:

22 Filed: Jan.2l, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 434,845

52 U.S.Cl. ..70/427 511 1m. (:1 E05b 17/14 [58] Field ot'Search 70/423, 424, 425, 426,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 289,446 12/1883 Rhoades ct al. 70/428 Primary Examiner-Robert L Wolfe Attorney, Agent, or FirmHoward I. Podell [57] ABSTRACT 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures KEYHOLE STUFFER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention relates to an improved theft proof automotive ignition lock. and particularly to a lock in which a dummy key may be inserted and retained in place by means of a padlock. An advantage of my invention is that the user may employ a padlock of his choice to lock the ignition lock of his automobile and so prevent theft by persons who might otherwise employ a master kev.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The objects and features ofthe invention may be understood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative emobidiment of the invention. taken together with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploed view of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of the invention in use; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the invention in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Turning now descriptively to the drawing, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. l3 show a conventional ignition lock 25 mounted on the sterring column I3 of an automobile The external tab 14 integrally fastened to lock body 11 is drilled to form a hole 15 in tab 14. A dummy ignition key 17 is fitted with a head I6 bearing a hole 18 located to align with and lie adjacent to the hole 15 in the tab 14 of lock body 11, when key 17 is inserted into the key slot 21 of ignition lock cylinder I2.

Preferably dummy key 17 is shaped so as to freely fit into key slot 21 of lock cylinder 12, but to be incapable of rotating lock cylinder 12 in the installed position. A conventional padlock 19 may be fitted through the aligned hole I5 and 19 of the lock tab 14 and key head 16 to retain the dummy key 17 in lock cylinder 12.

It is to be noted that this invention is also applicable for installation on locks mounted on doors or other locks, particularly where it is desired to prevent the use of master or duplicate keys by unauthorized persons.

Since obvious changes may be made in the specific emobidment of the invention described herein, such modifications being within the spirit and scope of the invention claimed, it is indicated that all matter contained herein is intended as illustrative and not as limiting in scope.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 0f the United States is:

1. A key-operated cylindrical lock shaped for installation in a fixed location with. the rim of the lock projecting beyond the surface of the member in which the lock is mounted, said lock incorporating means to fasten a dummy key in place with a padlock so as to prevent tampering with the lock in the locked position, comprising,

a key-operated cylindrical lock, the external rim of which is fitted with an external tab that projects radially beyond the periphery of the rotatable portion of the lock,

a dummy key shaped to fit into the keyslot of said lock but shaped to retain the lock mechanism in the locked position, when so inserted, said dummy key formed with a head that extends radially beyond the periphery of the rotatable portion of the lock, said key head oriented so as to lie adjacent to the external tab of the lock rim when the dummy key is inserted in the keyslot of the lock,

said external tab and said key head each formed with a hole of a size to permit the passage of a hasp of a padlock into both holes when the key is inserted into the keyslot of the lock.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1 together with a padlock, the hasp of which is of a size to fit into the holes in the lock tab and keyhead, when the dummy key is inserted into the lock keyslot.

l I= l I

Claims (2)

1. A key-operated cylindrical lock shaped for installation in a fixed location with the rim of the lock projecting beyond the surface of the member in which the lock is mounted, said lock incorporating means to fasten a dummy key in place with a padlock so as to prevent tampering with the lock in the locked position, comprising, A KEY-OPERATED CYLINDRICAL LOCK, THE EXTERNAL RIM OF WHICH IS FITTED WITH AN EXTERNAL TAB THAT PROJECTS RADIALLY BEYOND THE PERIPHERY OF THE ROTATABLE PORTION OF THE LOCK, A DUMMY KEY SHAPED TO FIT INTO THE KEYSLOT OF SAID LOCK BUT SHAPED TO RETAIN THE LOCK MECHANISM IN THE LOCKED POSITION, WHEN SO INSERTED, SAID DUMMY KEY FORMED WITH A HEAD THAT EXTENDS RADIALLY BEYOND THE PERIPHERY OF THE ROTATABLE PORTION OF THE LOCK, SAID KEY HEAD ORIENTED SO AS TO LIE ADJACENT TO THE EXTERNAL TAB OF THE LOCK RIM WHEN THE DUMMY KEY IS INSERTED IN THE KEYSLOT OF THE LOCK, SAID EXTERNAL TAB AND SAID KEY HEAD EACH FORMED WITH A HOLE OF A SIZE TO PERMIT THE PASSAGE OF A HASP OF A PADLOCK INTO BOTH HOLES WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE KEYSLOT OF THE LOCK.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1 together with a padlock, the hasp of which is of a size to fit into the holes in the lock tab and keyhead, when the dummy key is inserted into the lock keyslot.

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