US3406546A - Key case - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 22, 1968 J. H. CLEMENT 3,406,546

KEY CASE Filed Feb. 9, 1967 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,406,546 .KEY CASE John H. Clement, 340 Wanaao Road, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 Filed Feb. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 614,931 13 Claims. (Cl. 70-456) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An inexpensive plastic key case having 'an oval teardrop shape; a thin deformable portion adjacent mounted keys to digitallyeject same; side walls whichwill return to a closed position after having been spread apart to remove or add keys; side walls which are 'color and digitally coded so as to locate any key contained inthe case; an adjustment screw to adjust the thickness of the key case, depending upon the number of keys contained therein; key posts and sleeves which are adjacent to'the outer ends but oifsetfrom the center of the key case; and deformable marginal lips in order to retain the keys in the key case.

Background of the invention cost of the material used and because of the relatively complex manner in which they have been fabricated.

Because of the relatively low cost of plastic, some prior efforts have been made to use this type of material; however, they have not met with a great deal of success because of the fact that they are generally bulky, it is difiicult to place keys in the. key case and it is equally. as difficult to eject the keys in order to use them. More over, even though plastic is a relatively inexpensive material, key cases made from such material have not been inexpensive because, for the most part, 'the construction is complicated and has required a number of different manufacturing and assembly steps in order to produce a final product.

A desideratum in the art is to produce a plastic key case which is inexpensive and easy to manipulate.

Summary of the invention The primary object of the present invention therefore is to disclose and provide a key case which is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble and which is easy to manipulate and to eject selectable keys stored within the case.

It is also a principal object of the present invention to disclose and provide a key case or holder, as in the foregoing object, which is fabricated from resilient material with relatively thin deformable portion adjacent pivotally contained key heads to facilitate digitally ejecting pre-selected keys by the application of digital pressure against outer edges of the key case.

Another object is to disclose and provide a key case as in the foregoing objects which can be adjusted to maximum thinness relative to the containment of a variable number of keys.

Still another object is to disclose and provide a key holder or case that has a functional shape which in darkness or light, enables the user to manually or visually determine the location of large keys as opposed to small 3,406,546 Patented Oct. 22, 1968 2 keys within the key holder, and thus simplify and facilitate final pre-selection of any single desired key by use of further visual and digital sensing aids providing externally on the 'key case and associated with the location of each key within the key case.

A further object is to disclose and provide a key case from which any pre-selected key can be substantially entirely exposed for use and then returned to orderly and compact storage within the key case by using only one hand.

Another object is to disclose and provide a key case as in the foregoing objects which has a generally symmetrical external appearance of such configuration as to indicate to the user that end, side and edge of the key case from which a desired key will emerge when digital pressure is simultaneously applied to opposite outer edges of either end of the key case.

A still further object is to disclose and provide a key case as in the foregoing objects in which keys are held firmly in place until time of use but which may be easily removed, replaced, or added to when desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide and embody a key case that has a smooth oval tear-drop shape and structure which compactly stores a variable number of keys in a minimum of space thereby conveniently being carried in the pocket or pocketbook.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by the present invention which, generally stated, comprises the provision of a key case or housing member composed of two plastic side walls or halves which are easily assembled together to provide a key receiving space therebetween. The side walls or opposed casing halves maybe made from any suitable flexible plastic, e.g. polyamides such as nylon; polycarbonates such as the reaction product of bisphenol A and diphenyl carbonate; and olefin polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In addition, the case halves can be made of either natural or synthetic rubber.

The contained keys are pivotally held in the key case by two pair of opposed key posts and sleeves which are attached to end portions of the above-noted side Walls or case halves. Each key post is adopted to fit into the opposed sleeve. Preferably, the key post and sleeves are adjacent the outer ends but offset from the center thereof. With the contained keys so located, this type of construction creates a double ended key case of minimum essential width, length and thickness while allowing any key to be almost entirely exposed when the key is pivotally ejected from the key case.

The side walls or halves of the key case are preferably constructed so that the ends thereof will return automatically to their original closed position after being spread apart to an open position in which keys may be removed, replaced or added to the key case.

Preferably the key case of the present invention is so constructed that the edge, side and end of the key case from which a pre-selected key will emerge can be either visually or digitally identified without seeing or feeling the keys. This is done in the exemplary preferred embodiment by providing a textured outer surface on one side of an oval tear-drop shaped key case with a smooth outer surface on the opposite side; by making the two sides of different colors and by providing externally raised surface areas off-set from the center line at both sides and both ends of the key case so that a person, by either feeling or looking at the key case, can immediately identify where the desired key will emerge from the case and also where to squeeze the case in order to cause the desired key to emerge. For example, a user may locate his house key in the large end of the key case on the dark colored textured side; a garage key in the large end on the light colored smooth side; an auto ignition key in the small end of the key case on the dark colored textured side; an auto trunk key. in the smallend next-to the lightcolored smooth side. Additional keys are identified externally by their known locations between the identifiable locations of theouter keys in either the large or small ends of the key case.

H According to the present invention, keys are easily ejected'from the key case or housing by providing a digital deformable thin wall section in at least one side wall structed so that a large number of keys can be contained therein but is adjustable tomaximum thinness whena smaller number of keys are contained. This highly advantageous feature of this invention is accomplished. by

an adjustment screw located substantially in the center of the key case. This adjustment screw ispreferably constructed so as to provide. an internally threaded socket attached to one of the case halves and a mating externally threaded center post attached to the other case half.

Brief description of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the key case of the present invention showing two keys, in dotted line, within the case;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the key case of FIG. 1 showing an exemplary key begin partially ejected by application of digital pressure to the key head;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the exemplary key case of FIG. 2 taken therein along the plane IIIIII with additional keys;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view of the exemplary key case of FIG. 4 taken therein along the plane IVIV;

FIG. Sis a detail section view of the exemplary key case of FIG. 3 taken therein along the plane VV;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned side view of the exemplary key case of FIGS. 1 through 5 with only one key retained at the left end and with the right ends of the case halves spread apart into an opened position for the replacement, addition or removal of keys;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bottom half of the key case of FIGS. 1 through 6 showing thin sections of the case half which are deformable to function as key retaining marginal lips and also to allow the user to pivotally eject a key from the case.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 7, a detailed explanation will be made of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the key case of the present invention. As

seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the key case of the present invencase halves 20, 20' are made of a flexible plastic material as hereinabove specified. One case half 20 is smooth and is colored (e.g. red) a-diiferent color than case half 20' (e.g. blue) which has a grainy texture. The teardrop oval shape of the case and the differently colored and textured case halves allows a person to either feel or see the key case and immediately locate any desired key. One glance at the key case simultaneously conveys shape, color, and texture, and thereby conveys the location of any desired key. The same is true of feeling the key case because the distinctive shape allows selection of either end of the key case and the different texture of the two case halves conveys the respective colors of the case halves.

Each of the flexible case halves 20, 20 includes a side wall 21, 21' having deformable, marginal lips, 22, 22'

curved inwardly and extending partially about the circumference of each case half about the length of a'key body to partially-enclose a key receiving'space, indicated generally at 23.

In the preferred exemplary embodiment, the means for mounting the case halves 20, 20' in spaced opposed relation includes the centrally disposed adjustable center post assembly indicated generally at 24. Such .assembly, in the preferred exemplaryl embodiment, includes an externally threaded post 25 having a largeflat slotted'head 26 positioned within a recessed bore 27,provided in the upper case half 20. A mating internally threaded socket 28 having an enlarged slotted flat head 29 received in a recessed bore 30 provided inth'e bottomcase half '20 as best seen in FIG. 3. Post 25 may be adjusted relative to the socket member 28 by'rotation of post 25 within-;socke t 28 to ad justably limit the spacing of the case halves20, 20'. and thus selectively apply friction to the fiat sides 'of key head 41 resting between fiat inner end surfaces 43 and 44. as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, .while simultaneously adjusting the size of the key receiving space, indicated generally a 23, as best seeninFIG. S. Key mounting means are provided in associationwith each of the case halves to removably pivotally mount one or more keys within the keyreceiving space, indicated generally at 23, ready to be ejected when desired by the user. In the preferred exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 7, such key mounting means comprise two pair of key posts 31 and 32 with opposed cooperating sleeves 33 and 34 respectively. Posts 31 and 32 are attached or mounted to and recessed within enlarged end portions 35 and 36, respectively, of the outer ends of'the upper case half 20. Recesses 37- and 38, respectively, are thus provided to receive the upstanding tubular portions of the sockets 33 and 34 when only a single key is received therebetween, as best seen in FIG. 6. Each of the sockets 33 and- 34 are attached to or mounted in, and extended down into, enlarged endportions 39 and 40, respectively, of the lower case half 20'. The enlarged end portion also indicates, either visually or digitally, the edge to which digital pressure is applied to eject the selected. key.

Each key post 31, 32 is provided with an external diameteradapted to frictionally fit intoan opposed associated sleeve or socket means 33, 34, respectively, as best seen in FIG. 6,-to releasably hold a key thereon whileallowing pivotal movement of the key around the sleeve or socket member 33. A key 41v is shown pivotally mounted around the upstanding tubular or sleeve-like portion of the. socket 33 in FIG. 6.- When additional keys are contained within the case, as seenin FIGS. 3,4 and 5, the key postandopposedsleeve or socket means are still sufficiently interengaged with each other to pivotally mount the keys thereon.

Asparticularly contemplated within the presentinvention, digitally deformable thin wall sections are provided in the side walls of the case halves generally adjacent a pivotable key head of a key contained within the key receiving space to facilitate the pivotal ejection of a selected key; Asbest seerrin FIGS.'4, 6, and '7', each case-half has alongitudi'nally tapered thick central side wall area with thicker end portions and relatively much thinner side wall portions in selected locations of the case halves adjacent the pivoted key heads. Referring specifically to-FIGS. 5, 6, and -7, eachcase half is provided with a central portion of 'tapered thickness-'20, 21 with flatthicker, end sections 43 and 44'. Deformable relatively thinner wall sections 45 and46 are provided, as seen in FIG. 7, in areas adjacent the pivotally mountedand off-set key heads "shown in dotted line thereinsln the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 7, the key posts 31, 32 and opposed sleeves or sockets 33', 34 are off-set from the center line or longitudinal axis of thekycase 'to reduce-the overall size of the key case to a minimum and to substantially exposeiall of the keyafter it is pivoted outwardly ofthekey' case. As seen in'FIG. 7, the key indicated at 47 in dotted line is to be pivoted clockwise to beejected outwardly of the key case. Digital pressure must thus be applied to the key tion of pressure to the adjacent key head to cause it to rotate clockwise in FIG. 7 outwardly of the key case. The relatively thicker end portion 44 does not deform under the application of finger or thumb pressure during this digital pivoting of the key, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The case half 20, is preferably provided with like opposing relatively thin and thicker sections just as in the case half 20', such like thin section 46 and thicker end section 44 being illustrated in FIG. 4. Since the digital pressure is applied to the edge of the case closest to the off-set pivotal mounting of the contained keys, the relatively thinner deformable wall sections of the case are provided along the marginal edge portions of the case halves or side walls nearest such off-set key pivotally mounting means. On ejection of selected keys, the key bodies easily pass between the deformable, marginal lips 22 and 22'.

In the preferred embodiment of key case of FIGS. 1 and 2, the key case is of a generally oval tear-drop shape having one end larger than the other in order to provide for, and externally distinguish between large and small keys contained therein. As shown in FIG. 6, the plastic case halves 20, 20' are sufficiently flexible so as to allow the key post 32 and associated opposed sleeve or socket member 34 to be spread apart so that a key may be easily removed, replaced or added to the key mounting means provided by said post and sleeve.

A combined visual/digitalsensing means is provided, in accordance with the present invention, to enable the key case user to either digitally or visually sense the location of any desired key before ejecting it from the key case.

In the preferred exemplary embodiment, such sensing means include the provision of a double ended dual teardrop shaped key case that is larger on one end 48 than on the opposite end 49, a grainy or rough surface that is discernible by both sight and touch on the external surface of one side Wall 21'. The opposite side wall 21 having a smooth external surface that is discernible from the grainy side wall 21' by both sight and feel. Also, the grainy or rough side wall 21' is of one color and the smooth finished side wall 21 is of a different color. The oval tear-drop shape of the key case is provided to allow the user to easily select the desired end of the case by feel when the case is not visible, and by sight when the case is visible. Each body half is of a different color to allow easy selection of either side of either end of the case when the case is visible, and the rough and the -smooth sides of the key case are provided to allow selection of either side of either end of the case :by feel when the case is not visible and also by sight when the case is visible. Key location indicators 35 and 36, by being offset from the center line, indicate from which edge of the case any desired key will emerge. Assuming that the key case is provided with four keys, by Way of example, the user can select the correct end of the key case, large or small, by visually observing or manually feeling its over-all shape, and then select any one of the four keys by visually observing the body side color associated with the desired key or by digitally feeling the body side texture associated with the desired key. The user then feels or observes the thickened oif center indicator that is located on that end and side of the key case to determine from which edge of the key case the desired key will emerge. The user then holds the key case in such a position that the desired key will eject without restraint, rather than against his palm or fingers, and then merely squeeze the outer edges of the key case as seen in FIG. 2, to digitally deform the associated thin wall section adjacent the selected key head and cause keys contained in that end of the key case to eject outwardly of the case, as seen in FIG. 2. Having been ejected and its locationknown', the selected key is then grasped between thumb and finger and any keys that were ejected with it are returned to their original position inside'the key case body 23"by pressing them past the retaining lips 22 with the remaining three fingers of the hand.

It is thus seen that the present invention attains the foregoing objects in providing a key case fabricated with resilient material having thin wall sections to facilitate ejection of'keys and having combined visual/digital sensing aids to enable the user to externally preselect a desired key.

The foregoing description of a key case, in accordance with the present invention, is an exemplary embodiment only and it should be understood that modifications, alterations and ramifications of the construction and methods of making same may be made within the scope of my invention, which is defined by the following claims.

I claim? 1. A key case characterized by its ease of manipulation to allow selection of keys contained therein, said key case comprising:

a pair of flexible case halves, and means for mounting said halves in spaced opposed relation to provide a key receiving space therebetween, each of said halves including a side wall with deformable, marginal lips curved inwardly to partially enclose said space;

a key mounting means associated with said case halves pivotally mounting one or more keys about a key head within said key receiving space; and

a digitally deformable thin wall section in at least one side wall of said ca'se halves adjacent the key mounting means pivotally mounted within said space, said thin wall section being thinner than adjacent sections of said side walls,

whereby a body portion of a key contained within said space may be ejected from therein outwardly between said deformable, marginal lips by digital contact with the associated key head, said adjacent thin wall section resiliently deforming to allow said contact with said key head.

2. A key case according to claim 1 wherein digital color coded sensing means are provided on the surface of each of said case halves for aiding the sensing of a preselected key.

3. A key case according to claim 2 wherein said key mounting means comprise two pair of key posts and opposed sleeves attached to the flexible end portions of said case halves, each key post being adapted to fit into an opposed sleeve to releasably hold a key pivoted thereon.

4. A key case according to claim 3 wherein said sleeves and associated key posts are off-set from the center line of and are adjacent the outer ends of the case to cause exposure of substantially all of a selected key pivoted outwardly of the case.

5. A key case according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said halves comprise an internally threaded socket attached to one of said case halves and a mating externally threaded center post rotatably attached to the other of said case halves, said center post and socket mounting means providing relative adjustment of said case halves.

6. A key case according to claim 4 wherein each case half is of a different color and one case half has a smooth surface and the other case half has a rough surface, and each case half has a large and a small rounded end.

7. A key case comprising:

a pair of fiexible, plastic case halves and means for mounting said halves generally at the center thereof in spaced opposed relation to provide a key-receiving space therebetween;

key mounting means for pivotally supporting at least one key at each end of and between said case halves, said key mounting means comprising two pair of opposedseparableskey posts and sleeves attached-to end 'por-tions .otsaid case halves; eachkey post" being adapted to frictionally 'fit into the associated op x; i posed sleeve to; pivotally retain a key thereon; and portions of-each of said case'halves arethinner adjacent to the key mounting-means than are other portions'of said halves so that said thinner portions are easily deformable .by digital pressure, 'a 'keybeing .easily ejected from the, key case by digital pressure on said key said-thinner portions resiliently deforming to allow said digital pressure on said key. 1 -8.A key case-l. according to claim 7 wherein digital color code sensing means for aiding the sensing of a re selected keyare provided on'the surface of each of said casehalves; D J. g 4-9. A key-case according to claim '7 wherein said sleeves and said. key posts; are off-set from the longitudinal axis of said case generally adjacent the outer ends of the case to cause exposure of substantially-all; of a selected key when it is :dig-itallypivoted-outwardly of thecase.

10. A key case according to claim 9 wherein said case halves each have a side wall-awith deformable marginal lips curved inwardly to partially enclose the. space between said case halves and toretain keys within the key'case.

11. A key case characterized by ease ofmanipulation to allow selection of keys containedtherein, said case comprising:

a pair: of plastic flexible' case halves and means for mounting said halves generally at the centers thereof in spacedopposed relation to provide a key receiving space therebetween} each of said halves including a sidewall with deformable marginal lips curved inwardly to partially enclose said space; key mounting means associated with said key case halves for pivotally mounting one or more keys about their associated enlarged key heads within said key receiving space, said key mounting means comprising two pair of opposed key posts and sleeves attached to end portions of said case halves, each key post being .adapted'to frictionally fit into the opposed sleeve and pivotally-mohnt a key thereon; and r a digitally deformable thin wall section in at least one side wall of said case halves adjacent an enlarged key head-pivotally:m0unted within said-space, said thin wall section being thinner than adjacent'sections of said side walls,

'whe'reby a body "portion of akey contained withih such space may be ejected from therein outwardly between said case lips'by digitalcon'tact withand rotation of the associated enlarged key head, said adjacent thin wall section resiliently deforming to allow said coiitactwith said key head. 9 12. A key 'case according-to "claim 11 wherein said sleeves and key post are attachedto portions of the case halves which are thickerthan other-portions of the case halves.---

" 13.'A key case according to-claim llwherein the means for mounting said halves in the center thereof comprise an internally threaded socket-attached to one case half and a threaded center post attached to the-other of said'case halves to be adjustably received in said socket, providing selectable adjustment of said key receiving space.

l References Cited Le Fave 70-456 MARVIN A. CH MPION, Primary Emma. P. TEITELBAUM, Assistant Examiner.

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