US1886110A - Key holder - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 1, 1932. G. LIPPSTADT KEY HOLDER Filed Jan. 24, 1931 Isabel G'Lijgfisiadi,

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES IQABEL G. LIPPSTADT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KEY HOLDER Application filed January 24, 1831. Serial No. 511,059.

This invention relates to key holders and it comprises a metallic resilient member including a plurality of spaced parallel walls defining key receiving compartments alternate- E ly opening on opposite sides and key engagmg means arranged at the ends of each compartment whereby the key may be easily and quickly inserted or removed therefrom without the necessity of manipulating the holder itself and without the use of special fastening elements.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision (if a key holder of novel construction and of a size permitting convenient carrying in the pocket of the user, the rovision of a neat, simple and compact ey holder in which a plurality of keys can be folded or encased when not in use and in which any one key can,be selectively moved to 39 operating position for use as occasion may require; and the provision of a key holder characterized by a pluralityof key receiving compartments opening at opposite sides and arranged for easy attachment or removal of the y a c A still further object of the invention is the provision of a key holder formed from a sin gle blank of material which can be made in one stamping and one bending operation.

In the accompanyin drawing showing two forms of a specific em diment of my invention, and in the several views of which the same reference numerals designate corresponding parts;

Figure 1 is a. view in elevation of the holder, illustrating how a key can be quickly associated with or removed therefrom;

Figure 2 is an edge elevation of the holder; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

-' Figure from which the holder is formed;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of a modified construction.

The holder forming the subject matter of the present invention is formed from a single blank of resilient metal illustrated in Figure 4, which is adapted to be reversely. bent along spaced pairs of fold lines indicated at 10 and 11 respectively, to provide a plurality of 4 is a view of the blank of material I spaced parallel walls. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holder consists of two outer walls 12 and 13 respectively, and an intermediate wall 14 which is connected with the outer walls by the side walls 15. In Figure 5, however, I have illustrated a modified construction wherein the holderincludes four spaced parallel walls indicated at 16 and connected by the side walls 17 The intervening spaces between these walls define key receiving compartments, in which the keys associated with the holder are adapted to be arranged when not in use. The holder may be constructed from any suitable material, possessing the desired degree of resiliency, and may also vary in size without departing from the spirit of the invention, However, the holder in its entirety is preferably of a size to be carried in the pocket of the user.

The key receiving compartments open at the. opposite longitudinal sides of the holder, irrespective ofthe number of compartments so provided. These compartments are also I coextensive in length with the holder, so that keys supported at the ends of the respective compartments can be conveniently positioned within the latter when not in use.

If desired the walls of the holder may be provided with reinforcing ribs 18 arranged to project within said compartments as shown in Figure 3. 'While these ribs for the outer walls extend longitudinally thereof, the ribs of the intermediate wall or walls are preferably arranged in spaced groups as indicated 'in Figure 4, and these latter mentioned walls are further characterized by transversely dis -posed ribs 19 located between the spaced groups of ribs 18, and extending both above and below the intermediate wall, as shownin Figure 3. These ribs 18 and 19 of the ad acent walls, not only'serve as reinforcements, but also yieldingly-wedge the keys between the walls, and hold the keys within their respective compartments.

In Figure 5 the reinforcing ribs20 of the intermediate'walls extend within said compartments, and cooperate with' the ad accnt walls to frictionally hold the keys in their respective compartments.

The holder is designed for use with substantially flat keys 21 of the Yale type, each key having an opening 22 at one end. The key engaging means preferably forms an integral part of the holder itself. While various means may be employed for this purpose I preferably provide one of the outer walls, and' the intermediate wall or walls with stamped out studs 23 which project inwardly adjacent the ends thereof. Each stud 23 is adapted to be received by the opening 22 of the key, constituting a pivot about which the key can be swung within its particular compartment when not in use, or extended therefrom for use. It will be noted from an inspection of the drawing, that the studs 23 of each wall so provided, terminate in spaced relation to the adjacent wall, but in close proximity thereto, so that when a key is positioned between any two walls and associated with the adjacent stud 23, the key is held against casual separation from the holder. By reason of this construction, it is manifest that any particular key can be quickly inserted or removed from the holder, as the occasion might require, and when attached held in association with the holder without the use of separable fastening elements. When a key is inserted between two adjacent walls and passed over the adjacent stud 23, the said walls will be slightly flexed, until the stud is received by the opening 22 of the key, whereupon said walls will resume their normal position, and through their in herent resiliency maintain the key in the holder, but at the same time permit the key to be freely swung upon its pivot. The keys can be singly and selectively extended from the holder for use, and if desired the outer studded wall may be provided with different colored stones 24, fitted in the openings provided by the forming of the said" studs, and

. utilized to identify different keys.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description .the nature and advanta es of the invention will be readily understoo I desire to have it known that I do not limit myself to what is herein illustrated and described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall is claimed.

What is claimed is: v V

1. A key holder formed from a single blank of material forming a plurality of spaced, parallel, resilient walls defining key-- receiving compartments alternately opening on opposite sides of the holder, and having means for holding keys at the ends of said resilient walls, the said key holding means cooperating with the said resilient walls to form spring clasps for yieldingly engaging and pivoting said keys.

2. A key holder formed from a single blank of material forming a plurality of spaced, parallel, resilient walls defining key within the scope of what receiving compartments alternately o 'ning on opposite sides of the holder, and aving studs stamped in the ends of said resilient Walls, the said studs cooperating with the said resilient walls to form spring clips for yieldingly holdin and pivoting said keys.

3. In a key holder, the structure of claim 1 in which reenforcing ribs are stamped in the parallel walls defining key receiving compartments.

4. In a key holder, the structure of claim 1 in which reenforcing ribs and means for yieldingly engaging and holding ke s within said compartments are stamped in t e parallel walls of-said key receiving compartments.

5. In a key holder, 8. structure formed of a. single piece of sheet metal folded so as to produce two key receiving compartments opening on opposite sides and ly' three spaced parallel walls and stu ressed in the ends of two adjacent walls, t e said studs cooperating with said walls to yieldingly engage the keys.

6. In a key holder, the structure of claim 5 in which the depressions formed in the walls by said studs are employed as key identify- 1n means.

testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ISABEL G. LIPPSTADT.

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