US3006182A - Key holder - Google Patents

Description

E HANNA KEY HOLDER Oct. 31, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1958 INVENTOR.

E. HANNA KEY HOLDER Oct. 31, 1961 Filed Jan. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 d INVENTOR.

nited States Patent G 3,006,182 KEY HOLDER Edward Hanna, Leonardo, NJ. (169 Valley Drive, Navesink, NJ.) Filed Jan. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 711,979 4 Claims. (Cl. 70456) This invention relates to key holders, and more particularly to novel and simplified constructions thereof that are rugged, inexpensive and attractive.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel key holder wherein the key loops are readily inserted and removed therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel key holder wherein the key loops are retained firmly, and readily removed individually, without dislocating the containment of other loops.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel key holder of relatively simple and inexpensive construction, that is durable, rugged and attractive.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel key holder that requires no auxiliary lever, containing a leaf spring which engages the head of each key loop for simplified operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel key holder having a leaf spring contained within the frame in predetermined alignment for uniform coaction with the key loops.

These and further objects of the present invention will become more apparent in the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of my exemplary key holder.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the key holder of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are respective top, rear and bottom views of the key holder of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the key holder of FIG. 2, as seen along the line 66.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, through the key holder, taken along the line 77 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the key holder, corresponding to FIG. 7, in an intermediate position of key loop removal.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the key holder with the key loop removed.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a metal blank corresponding to the casing structure of the exemplary key holder.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the interior leaf spring of the key holder.

FIG. 12 is an end view of an intermediate stage of fabrication of the key holder.

FIG. 13 is the end view of the leaf spring for the key holder.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along the line 14-14 of FIG. 6, showing the leaf spring within the casing structure.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic illustrations for construction of the key holder, as to the retainment of the leaf spring.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 17*17 of FIG. 2, through the leaf spring and adjoining casing structure.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are modifications of the invention key holder.

The exemplary key holder illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, comprises a metallic casing structure having a base 10 with apertures 11, 11 used for afiixing as by riveting or eyeletting the key holder to a container such as a leather case. The base or back portion 10 extends to the top 12, continuing to curved front portion 15, and the face section or apron 16. The series of slots 17, '17 is arranged "ice along the flat top 12 and curved front 15. Slots 17, 17 are used to individually accommodate key loops as 18. Each key loop has an opening 19 through which a key is inserted or removed from the loop 18.

Each loop 18 has a spherical head 20 for engagement with the slots 17 in a manner to be more fully detailed. Within the key holder casing is a leaf spring 21 having its upper portion retaining the spherical heads 20 of key loops 18. The top edge 22 of leaf spring 21 does not extend to the top section 12 of the key holder. In this way it fully clears the key holder body in its swinging action upon the insertion or removal of the key loops 18 in a manner to be fully described hereinafter.

. The leaf spring 21 extends across the body of the key holder to uniformly coact across each of the slots 17, 17

when a key loop 18 is inserted. The normal position of the spring 21 is against the plane surface of face section 16, as clearly seen in FIG. 6. The construction of the key holder is such that the top portion of spring 211 normally holds inserted key loops '18 within the curved extension 15 and prevents their dislocation until intentionally removed. The removal and insertion of the key loops 18, as described in connection with FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 hereinafter, cause the leaf spring 21 to swing within the space provided therefor between face 16 and the back section 10 of the key holder.

An important feature of the present invention is the arrangement of leaf spring 21 within the body of the key holder. Towards this end leaf spring 21 is located between the angularly disposed front face section 16 and the back portion 10 of the key holder. The face section 16 encloses the leaf spring 21 by means of vertical flaps 23, 23 extending between the angularly spaced face section 16 and back section 10. The angular flaps 23, 2-3 further form a seat for the corresponding edges of leaf spring 21, as will be set forth in more detail.

A lip 25 extends from face section 16 at the apex of flaps 23, 23. Lip 25 passes through a slot at the apex of leaf spring 21 as will be more fully set forth hereinafter. In this manner leaf spring 21 is accurately seated and firmly positioned within the invention key holder.

The key loop slots 17, 17 extend to the juncture of the curved section 15 and face section 16, as seen in the drawings. At such juncture the slots 17, 17 are enlarged. at 26, 26, in order to accommodate the enlarged heads' 20 of key loops 18. The enlargements 26 are circular and slightly larger in diameter than loop heads .20, in

order to permit ready insertion and removal of the key loops therethrough, yet without much free play. The coaction of the key loops 18 with slots 17 and leaf spring 21 are illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. FIG. 7 corresponds to the position of a key loop 18 normally retained in the key holder. The leaf spring21 is pressed flat against inclined face section 16, and .the top portion thereof contains spherical head 20 within the key holder section 15. The leaf spring 21 subtends the enlargedslot' sections 26 and prevents the spherical heads 20 from slipping out of the respective slots 17. In this manner the key loops that are inserted in the key holder are retained.

1 The removal of a key loop is readily performed by tuming it away from face section 16 (FIG. 7) and sliding its, corresponding head 20' about the curved section 15. Head 20 is then pressed towards the terminal 26' of slot 17,

pressing the leaf spring 21 towards the back portion 10,

, as seen in FIG. 8. This actionoccurs as the loop 18 is drawn downward in the slot 17 whereby the loop head 20 is pulled through the enlarged terminal portion 26 ofthe slot 17. The head 20 is readily withdrawn through the slot terminal 26, whereupon pressure on leaf spring 21 is removed and it returns directly, by its spring action, against face portion 16. In this manner the spring 21'.

6 maintains its normal locking position for the other loops 18 that may be in the key holder.

The insertion of a key loop within the key holder is simply the reverse of that described hereinabove. As indicated in FIG. 9, the head 20 of the key loop 18 is inserted into the terminal aperture 26 of the slot 17. This process presses the spring 21 away from its normal position at surface 16, as seen in FIG. 8. Head 20 thereupon moves up to release pressure on loop 18 and cause the spring 21 to move into its normal retaining position, as indicated in FIG. 7.

FIG. is a plan View of a sheet of metal blanked to contain the shape and cut-out sections prior to the forming operations in the construction of the key holder of FIGS. 1 to 6. Blanking of the metal sheet is performed in a suitable manner known by those skilled in the metal working art. The base portion 10 extends up to bend line 27-27 indicated by a dashed line. The base 10 contains the rivet holes 11, 1.1 and a slot 30 for engagement with the lip portion 25. In the embodiment of FIG. 18 no slot 30 is used. The slots 17, 17 are stamped at the intermediate section of the blank as indicated, and contains the terminal expanded circular portions 26, 2'6 extending into face section 16. The bend line 28-28 shows the relationship of the terminal openings 26 with section 16.

The curved portion and top portion 12 of the key holder extend between the bend lines 2727 and 28-28, the intermediate region 2929 being about which the curved section 15 is initiated. The depending flaps 23, 23 extend from the plane face section 16 along their respective bend lines 31, 31. It is noted that the flaps 23, 23 are of triangular shape. The leaf spring 21 is blanked to the shape shown in the plan view FIG. 11. The size of the spring 21 is determined from its coaction with the body structure of the key holder herein described. Its sides 32, 32 are made to preferably converge at an angle. substantially equal to the angle formed between flap bend lines31, 31 at face section 16 (FIG. 10).

The apex portion 24 of the spring 21 extends from its sides 32, 32. A slot 3 3 is formed near the apex 24 for engagement with lip and for positive securement within the body of the key holder as will be described in connection with FIGS. 12 to 18. The bend line 3-4 is formed in the spring 21 before its assembly in the key holder. FIG. 13 is an end view of the leaf spring 21 showing bend 34 separating the apex section 24 from the body of the spring 21.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the key holder blank after being blanked at an intermediate stage of the assembly of the key holder. The forming process includes bending the blank along bend lines 27 and 28, as well as the substantial formation of curved section 15. The forming stage indicated in FIG. 12 does not complete the full. bending, as it is first necessary to insert the leaf spring 21. It is noted that lip 25 extends from face 16 for engagement with slot 33- of leaf spring 21. In the form of FIGS. 1 to 17 lip 25 also engages the corresponding slot of back portion 10.

The broken line showing of the leaf spring 21 in FIG. 12 corresponds to its end view in FIG. 3. It is noted that the apex section 24 of spring 21 is made parallel to the final posit-ion (vertical) of the back portion 10 (FIG. 17); and the main body portion parallel to the angular position. of face section 16. The edge of tip 22' ofleaf spring 21 that faces curved section 15, is preferably rounded-01f or otherwise made smooth of any burrs or sharpness to prevent interference with the smooth movement. of loop heads 20 into and out of the key holder.

FIG. 14 shows the interior arrangement in the keyholder, being a cross-sectional view along the line 14-14- of FIG. 6. Theleaf spring 21 is seated against the depending fiaps 23, 23 withits sides 32, 3 2 preferably juxtaposed against the insides of flaps 23, 23. By coordinat ing theshape and angular disposition of flaps 23 and sides 3-2, accurate seating of the leaf spring 21 is facilitated. Also, the size and shape of slot 33- within spring 21 is important. Slot 33- is made to accurately conform with a close fit over the lip 25- of the casing. The slot 33 is engaged with lip 25 extending as shown in FIG. 12, and the spring 21 is seated against the insides of the flaps 23 as shown in FIG. 14.

The relationship of the bend portion 34 of the spring 21 is such that the main body of spring 21 is pressed against the inside of face portion 16. It is important that the leaf spring 21 be accurately positioned and seated in the assembly in order to properly perform its functions in the invention key holder. Towards this end the base of lip 25 is undercut at 36, 36, as seen in FIG. 10. In this manner the lip 25 is bent to a position to receive and seat the apex 24 of the spring 21, as seen best in FIG. 14. Lip 25 coacts with slot 33 located adjacent the apex 24 of spring 21. This arrangement facilitates the accurate positioning of spring. 21 within the face section 16. Accurate positioning insures uniform pressure and action on all the key loops used, and the exertion of the correct forces.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic illustrations for the method of securement of leaf spring 21 in the key holder embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6. Face section 16 corresponds to the face of the key holder and has an extending lip 25. The lip 25 engages through slot 33 of spring 21 with the juncture 37 at face section 16 against the apex 24 of the spring 21. At some intermediate portion 38, spring 21 becomes juxtaposed with one surface of face section 16 and remains against such surface. Between such intermediate portion 38 and juncture 37 spring 21 is separated from face section 16 due to bend 34 and the angular orientation of apex 24.

FIG. 16 illustrates the interposition of the back portion 10 between apex 24 of spring 21 and face section 16, with lip 25 bent up to hold these members firmly together. In this manner the apex section 24 presses firmly against the parallel back portion 10, whereas the upper spring 21 portion starting at tangent 38 is juxtaposed against face section 16. The bend portion 34 of spring 21 is thus seen tobe a fulcrum about which the main body of spring 21 swings due to the insertion and removal of key loops as described in connection with FIGS. 7, 8 and 9*.

The spring 21 is accordingly firmly locked in the key holder between the angularly disposed sides 10 and 16 thereof. FIG. 17 illustrates this, and corresponds to schematic FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1717 of FIG. 2. The lip 25 engages the back portion 10 firmly against the spring 21 and its vertical apex portion 24; and the portion of spring 21 above tangent point 38normally presses against the surface of face section 16. The flap 23 between surface 16 and back portion 10 as seen in FIG. 17 (and with its companion flap-)- holds the spring 21 in accurate alignment and position within the key holder.

The slot 33, as seen in FIG. 14, as well as coacting lip 25, are made sufiiciently wide to act as centering and locating means for spring 21. Also the dimensional tolerance of the slot 33 is made to closely fit the predetermined size and shape of lip 25, in order to closely coact therewith in the locatingof spring 21.

FIG. 18- is a cross-sectional view through a modified key holder in accordance with my invention. It differs from the final assembly of the previous form, corresponding to FIG; 17, inthat the lip 25 directly engages the spring 211. There is no slot corresponding to 30 (FIG. 10) inthe basepo rti'on 10. The seating of spring 21-l, its centering and its action, in this modified form is identical to that of FIGS. 1 to 6. This embodiment, FIG; 18, is somewhat simpler of construction. The spring seating is accomplished before final asembly, and can be readily checked and tested. There is no need to mate lip 25 through a slot'in back portion 10. Also, after bending over into the final posi-tionof FIG. 18, I have found that the assembly stays firmly together despite tumbling and plating operations, and in actual usage.

FIG. 19 is a modification of the spring length, corresponding to side view FIG. 6. The top edge 22 of spring 21" does not extend as close to the top section 12 as the top edge 22 of spring 21, and the spring 21" is so proportioned to permit the heads of the key loops 18 to move thereover. As seen in FIG. 19, position 20' of the head in dotted lines, can pass over top edge 22 and move to the position 20 adjacent the back portion 10. In this way the key loops 18 may have mobility and be motivated across the top of the key holder. Nevertheless, the spring 21" covers the apertures 26 so the key loops do not pass out of retainrnent unless moved out in the same manner as described hereinabove in connection with FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

It is to be noted that the exemplary key holders are of simplified construction as compared to prior art arrangements, both as to their operation as Well as their manufacture. The key loops are readily and directly inserted within the slots 17, with spring 21 acting automatically to permit their insertion or removal, and normally maintaining inserted key loops 1% within the key holder. There is no possibility of the key loops to dislodge from their position in slots 17 until manually disengaged in the manner described. Also, by suitably proportioning the temper in spring 21, there is no undue force needed to insert or remove the key loops. A suitable material for the leaf spring 21 is Phosphor bronze, although other suitable materials may instead be used.

The invention key holder is attractive in appearance, and is fully utilitarian in construction. The blanking of the respective body and spring sections is readily performed in a single operation. The forming or bending up of the casing, as hereinabove described, is a simple operation, as is the insertion of spring 21 and final assembly thereof. There is no auxiliary centering or gauging or adjusting of the leaf spring necessary before the final locking of the assembly, as was required in prior devices. The leaf spring is inserted in its predetermined position and relationship, and locked in position by a simple operation, and through the novel construction and arrangement hereof is accurately located while thus assembled.

It is import-ant to accurately position leaf spring 21 with respect to the key holder assembly, in order to provide a predetermined and uniform pressure and operation at each of the slots 17 and on the associated key loops 18. This becomes more imperative as the number of key loops used is increased. The present invention is applicable to more or less than the four exemplary slots 17, 17 illustrated in drawings hereof.

While I have described the present invention in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the construction and assembly thereof without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A key holder of the character described comprising a body of sheet material having front, top and back portions constructed with an internal region to contain heads of a plurality of key loops, said body having a plurality of parallel slots in the top portion along said region each narrower than the diameters of the heads of said key loops, said slots each extending to an enlarged opening in the front portion for passage of said heads therethrough, the enlarged openings being arranged in a linear path adjacent the juncture of said top and front portions, a sheet spring with an end section supported parallel to said juncture and arranged to normally abut said front portion and overlying said openings for holding inserted key loops in the holder and impede their passage through said openings, said sheet spring having a slot substantially spaced from its said end section and engaged with a lip formed integrally with and extending from said front body portion for securing and seating said sheet spring in said body in predetermined alignment and uniform coaction of its end section With said openings.

2. A key holder as claimed in claim 1, in which the sheet spring slot is of rectangular shape with its longer sides parallel to said end section and proportioned to closely fit over said lip to thereby establish the said predetermined alignment and uniform coaction of said sheet spring in the body.

3. A key holder as claimed in claim 2, in which said lip also extends through a corresponding slot in said body back portion to lock said sheet spring thereagainst.

4. A key holder as claimed in claim 1, in which said sheet spring is bent along a line parallel to its said end section and near its slot, with the sheet spring portion that is located between the bend and its slot being juxtaposed against the body back portion and forming a spring fulcrum about which the end section is pivot-able.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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