Key Holder

Abstract

A key holder comprising a key ring formed from a length of resilient wire stock and bent to provide a loop and a pair of leg portions, a discoidal retainer or body formed of plastic, means for mounting a flat, indicia-bearing element on opposite sides of said retainer, means for detachably engaging said key ring leg portions within said retainer between opposed indicia-bearing members and shield components for preventing contact between said leg portions and said indicia-bearing members.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to portable article retaining devices and more particularly, to a key holder constituted of a ring-forming member and a body member detachably engageable with the former.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key holder of the type incorporating a key ring formed from a length of resilient wire stock and having a body for detachable engagement with said key ring and wherein the ends of said ring are received internally within the body, thereby being obscured from view during usage as distinguished from current key holders of this general type wherein the leg portions are of jaw character and are engaged on external portions of the related body for full visibility.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a key holder of the type stated wherein the body is adapted to receive flat, indicia-bearing elements, and means for preventing the received key ring legs from disruptive engagement with said indicia-bearing elements during usage.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key holder of the type stated which is adapted to securely maintain keys thereon and wherein the engagement between said key ring and the body conduce to a reliably stable interengagement thereby preventing unauthorized accidental displacement of the keys thereon.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a key holder of the type stated which is particularly designed for inexpensive manufacture of the components and ease of assembly thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a key holder of the type stated which is durable and reliable in usage, which is particularly adapted to prevent loss of the indicia-bearing elements so that the said holders are suited for advertising and promotional purposes; and which is of light weight so as to avoid imposing an unduly heavy bulk upon the user's pockets; and which is adapted for high volume, rapid production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a key holder constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. l.

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. l.

FIG. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 but illustrating the key ring member in partially disengaged relation with respect to the ring retainer.

FIG. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 but illustrating a further form of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 but illustrating another form of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the retainer of the key holder illustrated in FIG. 8 but with the adapter removed.

DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICAL EMBODIMENTS

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate practical embodiments of the present invention, A generally designates a key holder, comprising a key ring member 1 and a unitary discoidal retainer or body, 2. Said member 1 is formed from a length of resilient wire stock bent to define a loop or partiannular section 3 for receiving keys (not shown) and a pair of legs 4,4' each of which, at their end extremity or outer terminal, is flared slightly outwardly, as at 5,5', respectively. At their inner ends immediately adjacent loop 3, legs 4,4' are bent inwardly toward each other, as at 6,6', to form a relatively narrow neck n. Between its outer terminal 5,5', as the case may be, and its neck portion 6,6', each leg 4,4' is curved or arcuated outwardly away from each other, as at 7,7', respectively. For purposes presently appearing, the resilient nature of the material of construction of member 1 will allow legs 4,4' to be urged toward and away from each other but with the development of expected stress.

Retainer or body 2 is formed, preferably by molding from butyrates which plastics have been found to have the desired strength and lightness of weight especially suitable for the present invention. Retainer 2, as stated, is of general discoidal configuration embodying a rim portion r comprising an outer or peripheral sidewall 8 having its end faces beveled, as at 9,9', for border-defining purposes, as will be set forth hereinbelow. The inwardly directed surfaces of said beveled margins 9,9' are provided with a continuous undercut 10,10', respectively; with an inner sidewall 11 of substantially like depth as said outer sidewall 8 being presented between undercuts 10,10' (see FIG. 4). Extending between diametrically opposed portions of inner sidewall ll, and of like thickness and planarwise aligned therewith, is a partition or post 12. It will be seen that partition 12 divides the interior of retainer 2 into two distinct portions. Integral with one side of partition 12, immediately adjacent one end face thereof, is a thin wall or divider 13 rigid along its outer edge portion with the adjacent arc of inner sidewall 11. As may be seen in FIG. 4, said wall 13 is of relatively reduced thickness with respect to the depth of inner wall 11 and divider 12, so as to define therewith a compartment 14 which opens toward one side of retainer 2.

Partition 12 in its side portion adjacent its end face remote from that which adjoins wall 13, is rigid with a wall or divider 15 which extends toward inner sidewall 11 in a direction opposite to that of wall 13 and is united along its outer edge with the confronting portion of inner sidewall 11. Wall 15 is of like thickness as wall 13 so as to cooperate with the adjacent side portions of inner wall 11 and partition 12 to form a compartment 16 which opens toward the side of retainer 2 opposite to the side to which compartment 14 opens. It will thus be seen, with particular reference to FIG. 4, that walls 13,15 are mutually planar parallel and with their outer surfaces being immediately inwardly of the adjacent undercut 10,10', respectively. Formed in rim portion r of retainer 2 is a pair of axially parallel, spaced apart apertures 17,17' which open at their inner ends on opposite sides of partition 12 for establishing communication between the exterior and compartments 14,16, respectively. The spacing between apertures 16,17' is slightly greater than the transverse extent of neck n of key ring 1, but said apertures 17,17' are of such cross section that the distance between their mutually remote portions is less than that between arcuated portions 7,7' of key ring 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, key ring 1 is adapted for detachable engagement with retainer 2, with such being effected by projection of legs 4,4' through apertures 17,17', respectively, for reception within compartments 14,16', respectively, on opposite sides of partition 12. The walls of apertures 17,17' effect a camming relationship with the respective legs 4,4' so that as the arcuated portions of 7,7' pass therethrough, said legs will be forced toward each other with the development of expected stress. After completion of passage of the arcuated portions 7,7' the same, under inherent bias, will return to normal relationship, thereby extending laterally outwardly of the said apertures 17,17', in which position accidental dislodgement is inhibited.

In order to withdraw key ring 1 from retainer 2, forceful, axially directed, outward pulling is required to cause legs 4,4' to be cammed toward each other against the bias of wire stock for sufficient mutual compression. By the novel relationship brought about by the contouring of legs 4,4' and the relative locatIon and character of openings 17,17' in retainer 2, a stable condition is developed so that key ring 1 and retainer 2 are reliably maintained against accidental relative displacement. Yet, despite this stability, key ring 1 may be easily withdrawn from, or engaged with, retainer 2 by the application of requisite and properly directed force. It is to be observed that walls 13 and 15 inhibit any rocking movement of key ring 1 about its longitudinal axis, as the same serve as detents against which the legs 4,4' are caused to abut by such movement. Additionally, walls 13,15 effectively prevent any projection of the leg extremities 5,5' outwardly of the related compartment, as abutment of one leg 4 or 4' against its adjacent wall will limit corresponding movement of the other leg.

Provided for disposition transversely of retainer 2 and within rim r are flat, annular indicia-bearing platelike members 18, which may be formed of paper or the like, and carry on their exposed face design and/or textual matter, as for advertising and promotion purposes. Said members 18 are of sufficient cross section for projection of its peripheral margin into the proximate undercut 10,10', as the case may be. Adjacent wall 13,15 provides a surface against which members 18 may be presented. Coveringly disposed over each of said members 18 is a transparent window 19, as fabricated of plastic, with its margin received within the related undercut 10,10'. Members 18 are thus shielded by walls 13,15 against damaging engagement with legs 4,4' of key ring 1 so that inadvertent tearing and the like is avoided during usage.

Referring now to FIG. 7, A' designates a key holder comprised of a key ring indicated at l' and a retainer designated 2' both of which are in all respects structurally and functionally identical with key ring 1 and retainer 2, respectively, of key holder A hereinabove described. The portions of retainer 2' corresponding to retainer 2, are given like numerals for facilitating understanding. Presented for disposition between the outer face of walls 13,15 and the adjacent indicia-bearing member 18, is a flat, annular disc 20, the marginal edge of which is received within the related undercut 10,10'. Said discs 20 effectively close compartments 14,16, presenting a further barrier against accidental damaging contact between legs 4,4' and the customarily fragile members 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, B designates a pendant having a body 22 which structurally and functionally corresponds to retainer 2 of key holder A but with the exception to be described below. The various portions of body 22 are given like numerals as the related portions of retainer 2 for purposes of description. Extending through rim r of body 22 is a pair of relatively narrow apertures 23,23' which, at their inner ends, open into the interior of body 22 on opposite sides of partition 12. Said apertures 23,23' are of substantially reduced cross section with respect to apertures 17,17' hereinabove described and are further distinguished by the longitudinal axes thereof being slightly inwardly inclined, convergingly, toward their inner ends.

Provided for engagement with body 22 is an adapter 24 being fabricated of wire stock to present a loop portion 25 and a pair of legs 26,26' which converge toward each other and then substantially intermediate their length are turned abruptly away from each other to define extended terminal sections 27,27', respectively. Said adapter 24 is of such stock as may be deformed manually. Therefore, in assembly, legs 26,26', in rectilinear condition, are extended through apertures 23,23' to the requisite extent and the assembler then causes the inwardly projecting portions of said legs 26,26' to be bent, away from each other, so as to constitute terminals 27,27' and allow same to be disposed immediately adjacent inner sidewall 11. In such condition, terminals 27,27' secure adapter 24 in position, whereby loop 25 will cooperate with outer sidewall 8 to define an eyelet for engagement to a chain or other like securing member to allow pendant B to be utilized upon key chains and related articles. After bending of legs 26,26' as above described, indicia-bearing member 18 and windows 19 may be readily mounted upon pendant B in the manner above described with respect to key holders A and A'.

Claims

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A key holder comprising a key ring formed from wire stock and having a loop-forming portion and a pair of spaced apart legs continuous with said portion, a discoidal retainer body having a rim comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inwardly radially spaced inner peripheral wall and opposed exterior surfaces between said inner and outer peripheral walls, said rim having a pair of openings extending therethrough from said outer peripheral wall through said inner peripheral wall, partition means provided interiorly of said retainer body with opposite sides thereof aligned respectively with the said openings, said key ring legs projecting through said openings and being presented on opposite sides of said partition means.

2. A key holder as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said partition means comprising an elongated member, said inner peripheral wall being annular, said partition member extending between diametrically opposed points on said inner peripheral wall cooperating therewith to define a pair of compartments into each of which one of said key ring legs extend.

3. A key holder as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said inner peripheral wall being annular for defining a central volume within said retainer body, an elongated partition member extending between opposed points on said inner peripheral wall for cooperating with said inner peripheral wall to define a pair of compartments within said volume, said partition member being of less transverse extent than said inner peripheral wall and a planar member extending between said partition member and said inner peripheral wall, said planar member being planarwise perpendicular to said partition member for enclosing the intervening portion of at least one of said compartments.

4. A key holder as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said planar member being of flat annular configuration.

5. A key holder comprising a key ring formed from wire stock and having a loop-forming portion and a pair of spaced apart legs continuous with said portion, a discoidal retainer body having a rim comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inwardly radially spaced inner peripheral wall and opposed exterior surfaces between said inner and outer peripheral walls, said inner peripheral wall being annular and defining a central volume, said rim having a pair of openings extending therethrough from said outer peripheral wall through said inner peripheral wall, partition means provided within said volume for cooperating with said inner peripheral wall to define a pair of compartments, each of said openings communicating with one of said compartments, said key ring legs projecting through said openings and presented on opposite sides of said partition with each of said legs being received within one of said compartments, first and second flat wall-forming members disposed in planar parallel relationship and extending from opposite portions of said partition means toward opposed portions of said inner peripheral wall so as to cooperate with said partition means and said inner peripheral wall to cause said compartments to open in opposite direction.

6. A key holder as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by indicia-bearing members presented on opposite sides of said retainer body, means for mounting said indicia-bearing members on said body in visibility obscuring relationship to the portions of said legs within the adjacent compartments.

7. A key holder as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by shielding means provided between each leg and the adjacent indicia-bearing member.

8. A key holder as defined in claim 7 and further characterized by said shielding means comprising a flat disc, said inner peripheral wall having an annular undercut, said disc being marginally received within said undercut.