U.S. patent application number 10/884229 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-05 for athletic key clasp system and method.
Invention is credited to Peter J. Folger.
Application Number | 20060000250 10/884229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35512510 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060000250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Folger; Peter J. |
January 5, 2006 |
Athletic key clasp system and method
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for retaining and securing
such physical objects to a person participating in athletic
activities and the like. The apparatus for retaining a key having a
head portion and a shank portion coupled to the head portion
includes a body having a wall defining a cavity including a length
dimension and a width dimension greater than a proximate length
dimension and width dimension of the shank portion when in a
storage mode; and a key coupler for operatively retaining the key
relative to the cavity in at least two modes, the key moveably
proximated to the body to define the storage mode wherein the shank
portion is retained within the cavity and an operational mode in
which the shank portion extends beyond the body. The method of
storing a key having a head portion and shank portion coupled to
the head portion includes securing the key within a body having a
wall defining a cavity including a length dimension and a width
dimension greater than a proximate length dimension and width
dimension of the shank portion when in a storage mode; and
retaining operatively the key relative to the cavity in at least
two modes, the key moveably proximated to the body to define the
storage mode wherein the shank portion is retained within the
cavity and an operational mode in which the shank portion extends
beyond the body.
Inventors: |
Folger; Peter J.; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL E. WOODS;PATENT LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL E. WOODS
112 BARN ROAD
TIBURON
CA
94920-2602
US
|
Family ID: |
35512510 |
Appl. No.: |
10/884229 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/456R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0558 20130101;
Y10T 70/8676 20150401; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45C 11/324
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
070/456.00R |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/32 20060101
A45C011/32; A44B 15/00 20060101 A44B015/00; A47G 29/10 20060101
A47G029/10 |
Claims
1. A key clasp for retaining a key having a head portion and a
shank portion coupled to the head portion, the clasp comprising: a
body having a wall defining a cavity including a length dimension
and a width dimension greater than a proximate length dimension and
width dimension of the shank portion when in a storage mode; and a
key coupler for operatively retaining the key relative to said
cavity in at least two modes, the key moveably proximated to said
body to define said storage mode wherein the shank portion is
retained within said cavity and an operational mode in which the
shank portion extends beyond said body.
2. The key clasp of claim 1 wherein said body includes an
attachment member for engaging an object other than an element of
the key clasp.
3. The key clasp of claim 1 wherein said wall defines said cavity
between a front wall portion and a rear wall portion.
4. The key clasp of claim 2 wherein said wall is formed from a
unitary construction.
5. The key clasp of claim 2 wherein said body is generally "U"
shaped having said cavity between a first leg and a second leg of
said "U."
6. The key clasp of claim 2 wherein said body includes an
attachment member for engaging an object other than an element of
the key clasp.
7. The key clasp of claim 6 wherein said wall is formed from a
unitary construction.
8. The key clasp of claim 7 wherein said attachment member is
defined by an attachment region of said wall.
9. The key clasp of claim 1 wherein a region of the head portion
extends beyond a periphery of said body to facilitate movement of
the key from said storage mode to said operational mode.
10. The key clasp of claim 2 wherein a region of the head portion
extends beyond a periphery of said body to facilitate movement of
the key from said storage mode to said operational mode.
11. The key clasp of claim 1 wherein said key coupler is a pin
defining a rotational pivot for the key.
12. The key clasp of claim 11 wherein said pin includes an
attachment mode wherein the key may be coupled to and decoupled
from the key clasp and an engagement mode in which the key is
retained to the key clasp.
13. The key clasp of claim 12 wherein said pin includes a threaded
bolt portion selectively engageable with a complementary threaded
receptacle portion.
14. The key clasp of claim 8 wherein said key coupler is a pin
defining a rotational pivot for the key, wherein the key rotates
within said body when moving from said storage mode to said
operational mode.
15. The key clasp of claim 14 wherein said pin includes an
attachment mode wherein the key may be coupled to and decoupled
from the key clasp and an engagement mode in which the key is
retained to the key clasp.
16. The key clasp of claim 15 wherein said pin includes a threaded
bolt portion selectively engageable with a complementary threaded
receptacle portion.
17. A method of storing a key having a head portion and shank
portion coupled to the head portion, the method comprising:
securing the key within a body having a wall defining a cavity
including a length dimension and a width dimension greater than a
proximate length dimension and width dimension of the shank portion
when in a storage mode; and retaining operatively the key relative
to said cavity in at least two modes, the key moveably proximated
to said body to define said storage mode wherein the shank portion
is retained within said cavity and an operational mode in which the
shank portion extends beyond said body.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said body includes an attachment
member for engaging an object other than an element of the key
clasp, said wall defines said cavity between a front wall portion
and a rear wall portion, said wall is formed from a unitary
construction, and said attachment member is defined by an
attachment region of said wall.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said object is an article of
clothing and said attachment member is adapted for engagement to a
portion of said article.
20. The method of claim 19 comprising the step of engaging said
portion of said article.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to key holders, and
more specifically to a key clasp for use during athletic activities
and the like.
[0002] It is well known for persons to employ one or more physical
objects used for securing a residence portal (e.g., a key for a
lock in a front door) in many different instances. Many of these
persons are often confronted with a dilemma when they desire to
participate in activities outside of the residence, particularly
running and other athletic activities. The dilemma is to forego the
use of the physical object to secure the portal and thereby not
require its use when returning to the residence or to use the
physical object and thereafter carry it during such activities so
it is available for reentry.
[0003] The former option is not always available for multiperson
residence structures (e.g., apartment complexes) and when available
the option may be undesirable in many circumstances due to real or
perceived compromised security scenarios.
[0004] The latter option is not ideal as the person either has to
secret the object where it may stored and recovered without
detection by others, or the object must be carried during the
activity. Besides the inconvenience of carrying the object, the
object may be especially prone to loss because the person often
does not participate in such activities with clothing and
accessories that normally and conventionally accommodate such
objects during non-athletic activities. Considering a running
activity, many runners participate in the activity by wearing
special running attire that offers minimal storage facilities. In
some instances, multiple objects may be required for entrance, such
as one for a lobby door and one for the specific residence, further
taxing limited storage resources.
[0005] Many people desire to have minimal distractions during
participation in their chosen activity and desire some option that
does not require special preparation, monitoring, or otherwise
interfere with immersion into the activity.
[0006] The prior art has offered some solutions including retrofit
pockets such as for strapping to a running shoe and providing
limited storage space in running shorts. Other solutions include
simply tying a rubber band to the key and attaching it to one's
wrist--an inconvenient and often uncomfortable solution.
[0007] Unfortunately, these solutions are not always ideal. Many
people have limited time for such activities so their preference is
to buy and wear appropriate gear without regard to the availability
of pockets. Additionally, over time (particularly as seasons
change) the person will use different gear and in some cases such
as for running, layers of clothing may be employed. Some layering
arrangements inhibit the accessibility and any ease-of-use for such
pockets.
[0008] What is needed is an efficient and convenient system and
method for retaining and securing such physical objects to a person
participating in athletic activities and the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Disclosed is an apparatus and method for retaining and
securing such physical objects to a person participating in
athletic activities and the like. The apparatus for retaining a key
having a head portion and a shank portion coupled to the head
portion includes a body having a wall defining a cavity including a
length dimension and a width dimension greater than a proximate
length dimension and width dimension of the shank portion when in a
storage mode; and a key coupler for operatively retaining the key
relative to the cavity in at least two modes, the key moveably
proximated to the body to define the storage mode wherein the shank
portion is retained within the cavity and an operational mode in
which the shank portion extends beyond the body. The method of
storing a key having a head portion and shank portion coupled to
the head portion includes securing the key within a body having a
wall defining a cavity including a length dimension and a width
dimension greater than a proximate length dimension and width
dimension of the shank portion when in a storage mode; and
retaining operatively the key relative to the cavity in at least
two modes, the key moveably proximated to the body to define the
storage mode wherein the shank portion is retained within the
cavity and an operational mode in which the shank portion extends
beyond the body.
[0010] The present invention is an efficient and simple solution to
retaining and securing physical objects, such as keys, to a person
participating in athletic activities and the like. The key clasp of
the preferred embodiment is adapted to easily attach to an article
of clothing, for example by the use of one hand, and to thereby
secure the keys to the clothing while reducing potential drawbacks
and irritations commonly associated with clipping a key ring to
clothing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment
for a key clasp of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the key clasp shown in
FIG. 1 without any keys;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the key clasp shown in
FIG. 1 with two keys;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the key clasp shown in
FIG. 3 with the keys moved into the operational mode; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the key clasp shown in
FIG. 3 with the keys moved into the storage mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
retaining and securing physical objects to a person participating
in athletic activities and the like. The following description is
presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and
use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent
application and its requirements. Various modifications to the
preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features
described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to
the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment
for a key clasp 100 of the present invention. Clasp 100 includes a
body 105 and a key coupler 110, with a portion of body 105 forming
an attachment member. Body 105 defines a region, more particularly
described below, having a width "w" and a length "l" from coupler
110 to an end 115 of the attachment member.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of key clasp 100 shown in
FIG. 1 without any keys. Clasp 100 includes the attachment member
(shown as a particular adaptation 200 of body 105) including a
clipping portion 205 coupled to end 115. Body 105 defines a cavity
210 between a rear wall portion 215 and clipping portion 205. Rear
wall portion 215 is separated nominally by a distance "d" from
clipping portion 200 which is also a length of coupler 110. Thus
body 105 defines cavity 210 having volume dimensions of
"w".times."l".times."d."
[0019] Body 105 of the preferred embodiment is unitary construction
meaning a single, formed, piece of lightweight material
sufficiently resistant to plastic deformation (e.g., aluminum) to
provide a springy clipping function as described below. As shown,
body 105 of the preferred embodiment is generally "U" shaped and
adapted to form a key retaining cavity, with a portion of the body
forming a clipping member, though other constructions and
configurations are possible and remain within the scope of the
present invention. In some embodiments, body 105 may be a composite
of two or more integrated sub-pieces.
[0020] Rear wall 215 is preferably planar, extending beyond end 115
using coupler 110 as a starting reference. The amount of extension
is dependent upon design considerations of specific implementations
considering the present teachings.
[0021] Coupler 110 is, in the preferred embodiment, a key retaining
structure for holding one or more keys within cavity 210 while
permitting movement of one or more keys between a storage mode and
an operational mode. For the example shown in the preferred
embodiment, coupler 110 is a pin, most preferably a reusable pin,
permitting keys to be rotated about the pin when moving between the
two modes. By reusable, the present invention contemplates a key
coupling system wherein one or more keys may be repeatedly
associated with, and disassociated from, key clasp 110. In some
implementations, coupler 110 may be a two-part threaded bolt and
mating receptacle, while in other instances coupler 110 may be a
snap-fit pin and receptacle. However, some implementations may not
provide for a reusable key coupler 110. Such implementations are
still within the scope of the present invention. For example, it
may be desirable to provide one or two key blanks permanently
integrated into a suitable body and connected by a rivet or the
like. In this instance, a user has a particular key duplicated onto
the blank for use and does not remove the key from clasp 100.
[0022] In addition to retaining keys as described above, key
coupler 110 also serves to define cavity 210 by biasing the walls
of body 105 into the desired relative orientation. Distance "d" is
selected, in the preferred embodiment, to be an integral number of
standard key widths, with one or two key widths the most preferred
alternatives.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of key clasp 100 shown in
FIG. 1 with two keys (Key_1 and Key_2 stacked side-by-side and
extending from rear wall 215). FIG. 3 illustrates a particular
orientation of body adaptation 200 relative to Key_1 and Key_2.
Beginning at coupler 110 and traveling towards end 115, attachment
member 200 quickly increases its separation from rear wall 215 and
then sharply bends toward rear wall 215 to gradually slope towards
clipping portion 205 that is immediately adjacent key Key_2 in the
preferred embodiment. Thereafter, body adaptation 200 again quickly
increases a separation distance from Key_2 until another bend is
made so that end 115 extends for a some distance parallel to Key_2
with a space 300 provided between Key_2 and end 115. Of course,
other number of keys may be accommodated, the discussion would be
different depending upon which key was closest to clipping portion
205 but otherwise would not depart from the description of the
present invention.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, end 115 is bluntly pointed. It is
further a feature of the preferred embodiment that peripheral edges
of body adaptation 200 are smooth and rounded or otherwise adapted
to not cut, poke, pierce, abrade or otherwise injure/irritate a
person's skin or clothing. This is because end 115, as shown,
engages an edge of a structure, like an edge of an article of
clothing, and slides relative to the structure to maintain the
structure between clipping portion 205 and Key_2. In one preferred
embodiment, such as in the case of a waistband of a pair of shorts,
end 115 extends inside the shorts next to the body capturing the
waistband between clipping portion 205 and Key_2. Space 300
provides an easy mechanism to engage a suitable structure edge and
also to separate body adaptation 200 against the clipping/biasing
force using one hand. In this configuration, the smooth edges of
body 105 are inside the shorts while the toothed structures of the
keys are outside, limiting the key's impact upon the person's
participation in their chosen activity. Alternatively, the
arrangement may be reversed with end 115 extending external of the
waistband, with keys and rear wall 215 internal, for example. Still
other configuring solutions are possible within the scope of the
present invention.
[0025] In operation, once one or more keys are coupled to key clasp
100, the user simply and efficiently clips key clasp 100 to a
suitable structure (e.g., a hemline, waistband, collar, cuffband,
shoelace, headband, and the like) by clipping the structure between
clipping portion 205 and one of the keys.
[0026] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show an additional feature of the
preferred embodiment enhancing the usefulness of key clasp 100.
FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of key clasp 100 shown in FIG. 3
with each Key_1 and Key_2 moved into an operational mode. FIG. 5 is
a side perspective view of key clasp 100 shown in FIG. 3 with each
Key_1 and Key_2 moved into a storage mode.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, each key has a head portion 400 and a
shank portion 405. Most keys include an aperture of some sort, a
hole or opening, to enable a user to attach the key to a key ring.
Key coupler 110 of the preferred embodiment is adapted to engage
this aperture when a key is retained within body 105. However, in
some embodiments an alternative retaining system may be employed to
secure one or more keys to key coupler 110. An adapter may be
employed for this purpose, as well as for retaining keys having
enlarged apertures to provide for better operation between the
operational mode and the storage mode. In the operational mode
shown in FIG. 4, the shank portion of a key is exposed for
operation in well-known fashion.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, a portion of each key's head portion
extends beyond a lateral periphery of body 105 (e.g., the width "w"
is less than a width "W" of head portion 400) while shank portion
405 of each key is retained with cavity 210 shown in FIG. 2. A
clipping force from clipping portion 205, or a compressive force
from key coupler 110 on head portion 400, may be adjusted to
inhibit movement of one or more keys from the storage mode to the
operational mode until purposefully moved. Note that in the
preferred embodiments for one key and two keys, head portion 400 of
each key will be exposed--a head portion of one key is exposed from
the back and the front, while for two keys a head portion of one
key is available from the front and the head portion of the other
key is available from the rear. For more than two keys, a solution
described in the next paragraph may be used.
[0029] The length "l" of cavity 210 is also adjusted, which in the
preferred embodiment is designed to extend beyond expected lengths
of shank portions 405 of keys used with key clasp 100. However, in
some implementations, it may be desirable to adjust the length "l"
to permit an end portion of shank portions 405 to extend beyond end
115, such as for example, to assist in movement of a key from the
storage mode into the operational mode or when there are more than
two keys. Such an implementation may be desirable when the width
"w" is greater than the width "W" or when a retaining force for the
storage mode is relatively great making easy movement to the
operational mode somewhat difficult.
[0030] While the preferred embodiment of key clasp 100 incorporates
both the clipping function and the storage/operational mode
features, some implementations may include a single one of the
features without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, the storage mode may be desirable as a replacement for
a conventional key ring or key fob as it protects the inside of a
key container (e.g., a pants pocket) from the abrading effects of
the teeth of the keys, and it improves the organization, sound, and
appearance of conventional key organizers which frequently appear
to be a jumble of keys that rattle around together and can create
unwelcome sounds in some circumstances.
[0031] Although embodiments of the invention have been described
primarily with respect to running, many types of activities like
biking, surfing, swimming may benefit from features of the
invention including many everyday activities like walking and
hiking. In some embodiments, the key clasp is a substitute for
conventional key rings (particularly when the user has few keys).
Providing additional functions for the body of the key clasp, such
as ornamentation functions or remote alarm deactivation functions,
is also possible and such implementations remain within the scope
of the present invention.
[0032] In the description herein, numerous specific details are
provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide
a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an
embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of
the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies,
methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring
aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
[0033] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment",
"an embodiment", or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus,
respective appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an
embodiment", or "in a specific embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the
same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present
invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more
other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and
modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described
and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings
herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0034] It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements
depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more
separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as
inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a
particular application.
[0035] Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures
should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless
otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term "or" as used
herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless otherwise
indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be
considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as
rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.
[0036] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims
that follow, "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
[0037] The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the
present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and
examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative
purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within
the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in
the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these
modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the
foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present
invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0038] Thus, while the present invention has been described herein
with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of
modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the
foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some
instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be
employed without a corresponding use of other features without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth.
Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the
present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited
to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of
the appended claims.
[0039] Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined
solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *