Lock apparatus

A lock apparatus capable of being locked/unlocked by an electronic key, comprising:

• an electronic key having a circuit chip generating an electronic signal and an insertion portion provided at an end thereof and comprised of a pair of opposing flat portions and slope portions on both side so as to be formed in a tapered flat shape;
• a rotating member having an insertion hole opening at an end face thereof and in which the insertion portion of the electronic key is to be inserted, an opening portion of the key insertion hole having a rectangular sectional shape corresponding to a cross section of the insertion portion and being larger than an end of the insertion portion and an interior of the key insertion hole being formed in a tapered flat shape corresponding to the tapered flat shape of the insertion portion and having a slant wall as a side face
• wherein a rotating force from the electronic key inserted into the key insertion hole is transmitted to the rotating member through substantially full contact between the opposing flat portions of the electronic key and the interior the key insertion hole
• wherein the rotating member includes a slider such that a contact surface of an inner end thereof goes through the slant wall of the key insertion hole into the key insertion hole and the contact surface is capable of coming into contact with one of the slope portions of the insertion portion of the electronic key and sliding thereon so as to control an operation of a movable member,
• and wherein the rotating member has a protrusion such that a contact surface of an end thereof is capable of coming into contact with one of the slope portions of the insertion portion of the electronic key together with a protruding amount smaller than that of the slider, the protrusion being disposed at a position deviated to the opening portion of the key insertion hole with respect to the slider extending from the slant wall.