Key Holders

Abstract

A novel key holder formed of a suitable metal or plastic material having two complementary halves hinged together and provided with a friction catch to retain the holder halves closed. The holder has an open end opposite the hinge with a transverse rod upon which the keys are pivoted from a position within the holder to an operative position projecting from the holder. The holder may also include generally circular recesses undercut to hold coins for use in parking meters.

Description

The present invention relates to key holders and more particularly to novel key holders and retainers formed of two complementary parts hinged together to retain the keys within the holder when not in use.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel key holder formed of two complementary parts hinged together and provided at their free ends with friction catch means. The free end of at least one part is provided with a transverse pin upon which the keys are mounted to pivot from a position within the holder to a position with the bitted shank projecting from the holder for use in a lock. The free end of at least one part is open to allow pivotal movement of a key.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel key holder or case which is formed of a suitable plastic material. The holder is formed of two complementary parts or halves joined together by an integral plastic hinge so the entire holder can be molded in a single operation. The friction catch is also formed in the molding operation and includes one or more friction projections or pins on one part which are received in recesses formed in the other part.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel key holder having semi-circular undercut flanges formed on the side walls of both halves which, when the holder is closed, form coin compartments to hold coins for parking meters or for other desired purposes.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of key holder shown in its open position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the key holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the key holder.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the key holder taken from the left-hand end of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the key holder of FIG. 1 shown in closed position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 5, partly in cross section showing the friction catch.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a key holder in open position.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view taken from the right-hand end of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the key holder of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the key holder of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the key holder of FIG. 7 in closed position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a key holder.

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the left-hand end of the key holder as seen in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the key holder of FIG. 12.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings wherein are shown illustrative embodiments of the present invention, FIGS. 1 through 6 disclose a key holder 10 formed of two dissimilar but complementary parts 11 and 12 joined by a hinge 13. The part 11 has an end wall 14 adjacent the hinge and parallel side walls 15,15 joined by a connecting wall or base 16; the walls 15,15 tapering down to merge into an enlarged end 17 of the wall 16. A pair of friction projections 18,18 having friction beads 19,19 are formed on the end 17 perpendicular thereto.

The opposite part 12 includes an end wall 21 and parallel side walls 22,22 joined by a connecting wall or base 23, the walls 22,22 tapering away from the wall 23 to an open end 24 which includes a pair of spaced parallel enlargements 25,25 formed on the exterior of the walls 22,22; each enlargement 25 having a recess 26 to receive a friction projection 18. A pair of aligned side openings 27 in the enlargements 25 receive a transverse pin 28 by friction fit; the pin 28 extending through the openings 31 in the enlarged heads of keys 29 to be retained in the holder. A generally U-shaped clip 32 may be secured in openings in the part 12 adjacent the hinge 13 to secure the holder 10 to a chain or other device (not shown) and a magnet 33 (FIG. 2) may be secured to the exterior surface of the wall 23 so that the holder 10 may be retained on a metallic surface, such as on or under the dashboard of an automobile.

As shown in FIG. 2, one or more keys 29 can be retained in the chamber formed by the walls 21,22,22 and 23 of the part 12 and any key can be pivoted on the pin 28 to project the key blade beyond the open end 24 for use in operating a lock or an ignition switch of a vehicle. The parts 11 and 12 may be closed about the hinge 13 to the position of FIG. 5 with the friction projections 18 received in the recesses 26 to form a friction catch holding the parts closed.

FIGS. 7 through 11 disclose a second embodiment of key holder 34 formed of two substantially identical parts or halves 35 and 36 joined by a hinge 37. Each part or half 35 and 36 includes a closed end 38, parallel side walls 39,39 joined by a connecting wall 41 and an open end 42. The walls 38,39,39 and 41 form half of a chamber 43 enclosing keys 44 to be retained therein. A pair of enlargements 45,45 and 45',45' are formed on the exterior surfaces of the walls 39,39 at the open ends 42 of the parts 35 and 36 respectively; with each enlargement 45 on the part 35 having a projection 46 with a friction bead extending upwardly therefrom, and each enlargement 45' on the part 36 having a recess 47 adapted to receive one of the projections 46 when the parts are closed.

Also the enlargements 45 have aligned openings for a transverse friction fit pin 48 for several keys 44 and the enlargements 45' have openings for a second transverse pin 49 for several other keys 44. Obviously, the number of keys on either or both pins 48 and 49 cannot exceed the total capacity for the holder. This holder 34 operates in the same manner as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 except that the keys 44 are pivotally mounted on both pins in a suitable relation.

FIGS. 12 through 14 disclose a third embodiment of key holder 51 consisting of two substantially identical parts or halves 52 and 53 joined by a hinge 54. Each half has an end wall 55, a pair of parallel side walls 56,56 joined by a connecting wall 57 and an open end 58. A pair of enlargements 59,59 have friction projections 61,61 on the part 52, and a second pair of enlargements 59',59' on the part 53 have recesses 62,62 to receive the projections 61,61. Furthermore, the enlargements 59,59 have aligned openings for a friction fit transverse pin 63, and the enlargements 59',59' likewise have openings for a friction fit second transverse pin 64; the pins 63 and 64 carrying the keys (not shown) retained in the chamber 65 formed in the holder 51.

Formed on the exterior surfaces of the side walls 56,56 of each half are a pair of semi-circular flanges 65 and 66 undercut at 67 and 68, respectively. When the halves 52 and 53 are closed, the flanges 65 and 66 form generally circular recesses of different sizes adapted to receive coins, such as nickels, dimes and pennies, which could be used for parking meters, telephones, etc. Thus, the owner of the key holder 51 would have the necessary change for parking an automobile, which vehicle keys are retained in the holder.

The key holders shown in the drawings are preferably formed of a suitable plastic material, such as a general purpose ABS plastic, and the hinge can be formed integral with the holder of the same material. Also, the hinge could be formed of a second suitable plastic material, such as a general purpose polypropylene, and then have the body molded to the hinge and secured thereto. Also, the holder could be formed of metal with appropriate alterations in the hinge and latch structure; however, the plastic key holder obviously would be more economical and easier to produce.

Claims

We claim:

1. A key holder to retain one or more keys therein and allow the rotation and projection of a key therefrom for use, comprising a two part holder formed of two substantially identical parts joined by a hinge so that the parts can be hinged between open and closed positions, each part having an elongated generally channel-shape with a closed end adjacent the hinge and an open free end, at least one transverse pin in the open end of either part on which one or more keys are pivotally mounted, and a friction catch to retain the parts in their closed position.

2. A key holder as set forth in claim 1, in which the friction catch includes at least one projection at the free end of one part, and the opposite part has at least one recess at the free end adapted to frictionally receive the projection.

3. A key holder as set forth in claim 2, in which said projection has a friction bead thereon.

4. A key holder as set forth in claim 1, in which the two parts are formed of a plastic material and the hinge is formed of the plastic material and is integral with the two parts of the holder.

5. A key holder as set forth in claim 1, including a transverse pin in the open end of each part to retain keys thereon.

6. A key holder as set forth in claim 1, including at least one semi-circular undercut flange on the exterior surface of the side of each part, such that when the parts are closed, the semi-circular flanges form a circular recess to retain one or more coins.

7. A key holder as set forth in claim 6, including a pair of semi-circular flanges on each side of each part to form four coin recesses when the parts are closed.

8. A key holder as set forth in claim 7, in which the flanges of a pair are of differing sizes to provide for more than one denomination of coin.