An electronically addressable object carrier for enabling the management of removably suspended objects, such as keys, distributed in an object location space, The object carrier includes a housing having an object retention element for securing an object to the object carrier and at least one through aperture for removably receiving an electrically conductive suspension member capable of manifesting object address signals and power signals supplied by a source; a microcontroller carried by the housing, the microcontroller having a unique object address serving to identify an object secured to the object carrier; an electrically conductive element located in the at least one aperture for electrically coupling the microcontroller to the electrically conductive suspension member when the aperture is removably received on the electrically conductive suspension member; and a visible indicator coupled to the microcontroller for activation whenever the microcontroller receives an address signal representative of the unique object address. Two electrically conductive elements can be used: one having first and second electrically conductive members slidably and oppositely disposed in a single aperture and bias means for urging the first and second electrically conductive members toward each other to make contact with an electrically conductive suspension member when the carrier is mounted. Another being a pair of washers mounted in spaced first and second apertures in the housing. In use, the devices are removably suspended by one or two electrically conductive suspension members secured to a support element, such as the back board of a cabinet.

Methods and apparatus for securely mounting an enclosure are described. In various embodiments a device enclosure includes a recessed back area in which a mounting latch including a generally key-shaped opening is positioned. A mounting bracket including a post having multiple dimensions is secured to a wall. The enclosure and latch is placed over the post. The enclosure is moved so that the post slides in the key-shaped opening and snaps into the first portion of the key-shaped opening. To release the latch a release tool is inserted into a slot or other opening and rotated so that the tip or tips of the release tool can pass through one or more openings in a rear wall of the enclosure and compress a portion of the latch allowing the enclosure and latch to slide on the shaft until the enclosure reaches a position where it can be removed.

A key, comprising: a key head; and a key shank (10), characterized in that the key shank (10) includes a torsion section (20) that is formed, in particular cold formed, along a longitudinal axis (L) at least in sections, wherein the key shank (10) includes a base cross-section (26) in a transition portion to the torsion section (20), wherein a cross-section (30) of the key shank (10) protrudes at least in sections beyond the base cross-section (26) in the torsion section (20) in a direction towards the key tip (70).

A key, a lock core and a lock, relating to a key, a lock core and a lock are provided. The key includes: a column body, a first end of the column body being provided with a light emitting component; a first cathode component disposed on the column body and connected to one end of the light emitting component to be mated with a second cathode component in the lock core; a first piezoelectric electrode disposed on the column body and connected to the other end of the light emitting component to be pressed against a second piezoelectric electrode in the lock core. When the first cathode component is mated with the second cathode component in the lock core, and the first piezoelectric electrode is pressed against the second piezoelectric electrode in the lock core, a piezoelectric current is generated, to cause the light emitting component to emit light.

A key, a lock core and a lock, relating to a key, a lock core and a lock are provided. The key includes: a column body, a first end of the column body being provided with a light emitting component; a first cathode component disposed on the column body and connected to one end of the light emitting component to be mated with a second cathode component in the lock core; a first piezoelectric electrode disposed on the column body and connected to the other end of the light emitting component to be pressed against a second piezoelectric electrode in the lock core. When the first cathode component is mated with the second cathode component in the lock core, and the first piezoelectric electrode is pressed against the second piezoelectric electrode in the lock core, a piezoelectric current is generated, to cause the light emitting component to emit light.

An exemplary system includes a mechanical key and an access control device. The access control device includes a housing defining a keyway that has a fixed position within the housing. The access control device further includes a root depth sensor assembly, an insertion depth sensor assembly, a control assembly in communication with the sensor assemblies, and an electronic lock device. The control assembly is configured to determine the bitting code of the mechanical key based upon information received from the sensor assemblies, to compare the bitting code of the mechanical key to a lock/unlock bitting code; and to transmit a lock/unlock command in response to the bitting code matching the lock/unlock bitting code. The electronic lock device is configured to transition between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to receiving the lock/unlock command and without requiring rotation of the mechanical key.

A key device (10) includes a generally elongate shaft portion (12), and at least one magnetic key combination element (20) disposed in the shaft portion (12), which is rotatable about a rotation axis (22).

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed involving a door blocking apparatus to reduce a likelihood of, and possibly prevent, opening of a door by unauthorized personnel. The apparatus may be networked in a security system and may be connectable to an online security platform. In a particular embodiment, an embodiment of the invention may include a security system involving a plurality of door locations having a plurality of networked door blocking apparatus. Each door blocking apparatus may include a door blocking mechanism operable by a user on a safety side of a door, such as having the user rotate an apparatus handle that rotates the door blocking mechanism between a non-blocking position and a blocking position. In the non-blocking position, the door blocking apparatus does not block the door from opening and closing. In the blocking position, the door blocking apparatus blocks the door from opening and from closing completely.

A compression latch includes a cylindrical housing (1). A locking shaft (2) is rotatably and axially movable in the housing. The locking shaft includes an axial free end (14) that engages a locking element (12). A cylindrical sleeve (3) engages an axial end of the locking shaft opposed of the free end. The sleeve includes an axially tapered annular sleeve slot (19) in which a shaft engagement pin (7) is engaged to cause axial movement of the locking shaft with rotational movement sleeve until the pin engages a slot end. After pin engagement with the slot end, further rotation of the sleeve causes rotation of the locking shaft. A cylindrical securing element (4) is rotatably engaged with and is axially movable relative to the sleeve. The securing element includes a circumferentially extending guiding recess (17) and a transversely extending latching recess (18). A securing element engaging pin (9) is engageable with the latching recess to prevent rotational movement of the securing element and the sleeve until the securing element is moved axially inwardly to disengage the pin and the latching recess.

Methods and apparatus for securely mounting an enclosure are described. In various embodiments a device enclosure includes a recessed back area in which a mounting latch including a generally key-shaped opening is positioned. A mounting bracket including a post having multiple dimensions is secured to a wall. The enclosure and latch is placed over the post. The enclosure is moved so that the post slides in the key-shaped opening and snaps into the first portion of the key-shaped opening. To release the latch a release tool is inserted into a slot or other opening and rotated so that the tip or tips of the release tool can pass through one or more openings in a rear wall of the enclosure and compress a portion of the latch allowing the enclosure and latch to slide on the shaft until the enclosure reaches a position where it can be removed.