US3119429A

US3119429A - Key case

Info

Publication number: US3119429A
Application number: US302054A
Authority: US
Inventors: William B Stiller; Stiller Michael
Original assignee: QUIKEY Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: QUIKEY Manufacturing CO
Priority date: 1963-08-14
Filing date: 1963-08-14
Publication date: 1964-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1981-01-28

Description

1964 w. B. STILLER ETAL 3,119,429

KEY CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1963 INVENTORS WILLIAM B. STILLEH 8 I1ICHAEL STILLER FIG.4

ATTORNEY FIG.3

Jan. 28, 1964 w. B. STILLER ETAL KEY CASE Filed Aug. 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS WILLIAM B. STILLER 8 MICHAEL STILLER BY (0M WM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,119,429 KEY CASE William B. Stiller and Michael Stiller, Akron, Ulric, assignors to Quikey Manufacturing Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 392,054 6 Claims. (Cl. 150-44)) This invention relates to the art of key cases, and in particular relates to that type of key case wherein keys as a group are selectively moved in and out of a carrying pouch for the same, with such movement being initiated upon the application of collapsing pressure against the edge portions of the key case.

In Stiller Patent No. 2,912,030, there is disclosed a key case of the general type herein being described, with movement of the keys, as a unit, being controlled by a retaining strap that moves relatively of the carrying pouch between fully extended and partially extended condition, to thus permit the keys to be moved between the interior and the exterior of the carrying pouch for the same.

While the key case as shown in the aforementioned US. Patent No. 2,912,030 has achieved a certain degree of commercial success, it has nonetheless been found that the same is possessed of certain disadvantages.

First, the same requires basically a two-hand type of operation with one hand being used for the purpose of supporting the key case, while the other hand is used to manipulate the strap in the manner shown in the afore said patent.

Second, the longevity or useful life of such an item is predicated solely on the durability of the retaining strap, and since this strap is of necessity thin and is subjected to constant usage, it has been found that the same wears prematurely, with the result that the key case is often discarded due to a broken strap when the remaining components of the pouch are perfectly serviceable for further use.

It has been discovered that the aforementioned disadvantages can be obviated by eliminating the retaining strap above discussed, with the same being replaced by an internally positioned key supporting means that serves to support an endless key chain with respect to the interior of the key pouch. In this fashion, and with all components internally positioned, it is no longer necessary to manipu late a strap to effect key release with mere side pressure being required to drop the keys into extended position as will hereinafter be described.

Production of an improved key case having the above advantages accordingly becomes the principal object of this invention, with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the brief specification, considered and interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved key case having keys positioned interiorly thereof in normal storage position.

FIGURE 2 is a similar perspective view, but showing the key pouch being collapsed to permit quick release of the keys to the extended position shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical view taken on the

lines

3, 3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical view taken on the

lines

4, 4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section taken on the

lines

5, 5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section taken on the

lines

6, 6 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a plan View partially broken away in section showing a modified form of the invention.

3,1 19, 42 9. Patented Jan. 28, 1984 ice FIGURE 8 is an end view partially broken away and in section of the key case shown in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a further modified form of the invention.

FIGURES 10 and 11 are plan and end elevations, respectively, that are partly broken away and in section to illustrate a still further modification of the invention.

FIGURE 12 is a plan view partially broken away in sec tion showing a still further modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings 1 through 6 and in particular to FIGURE 1, the improved key case, generally designated by the numeral 10, is shown as including a unitary, open-ended pouch 11 that has interiorly supported key supporting means 12 (FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6) about which a key chain 13 can be played so as to support a series of

keys

14, 14, with the keys and the carrying chain therefor being moved from the stored position of FIG- URE 1 to the extended position of FIGURE 2 upon the application of edge pressure by the fingers of the user, as shown in FIGURE 2.

With reference to the detailed construction of the pouch 11, it will be noted that the same includes opposed fiat wall surfaces 2%} and 21 that merge into

opposed edge walls

22 and 23 and an end wall 24, with these component portions being integral to each other to define a onepiece unitary body member, and with the preferred material being a plastic compound such as polyvinyl chloride that lends itself to formation of the just described pouch by well-known dipping means.

In this regard, however, it is to be noted that While the resiliency of the body is important, the material thereof is not limited to the use of polyvinyl chloride, with other flexible rubbery materials that have similar recovery property, such as rubber, being equally usable for the purpose of constructing the pouch.

Referring next to FIGURES 3 and 4, it will be noted that an integral endless ledge, indicated by the numeral 25, is shown provided on the inner wall of the just described pouch 11, with this ledge 25 projecting inwardly to define shoulders or support surfaces for the chain-supporting means 12 that will now be described.

In this regard, and referring first to FIGURES 3 through 6, it will be noted that the chain-supporting means 12 includes a block-like body portion 26 that is contoured to be supported on the ledge 25, with the exterior surfaces thereof being in engagement with the inner surfaces of the wall 24, as clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings. An arcuate groove 28 is further provided in the outer edge surface of the block member 25, with this groove 28 receiving the chain member 13 in shiftable relationship therewith, as clearly shown in the drawings, and with the chain being retained in place by virtue of the fact that the surface of the interior wall 24 closes at least a portion of this groove so as to preclude disengagement of the chain from the support means 12 during use.

With reference to the key chain 13, it will be noted that the same is of standard configuration and is provided with the usual fastening means that permit the ends thereof to be connected together to form an endless loop. As an important feature of this invention, it is to be noted that the length of the chain is shown sufficient to permit the looped end to project to the open end of the pouch at all times, with such structure being required to permit the keys to be completely dislodged, as shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

In use or operation of the improved key case, it will first be assumed that the component parts will be assembled to the position shown in the drawings, with the key chain 13 having been placed on the chain-supporting means 12 and with this assembly having been snapped into place above the ledge 25 so that the component parts assume the position shown in FIGURES 4 or 6, for example.

At this time, the

edge walls

22 and 23 may be moved together by finger pressure of the type shown in FIGURE 2, and the opening of the pouch will become substantially round in contour so as to facilitate easy insertion of the key and chain, with the inserted position of the key and chain in storage position being shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings.

At such time as is desired to use the case in question, the user need merely hold the open end down and apply finger pressure to the opposed sides to move the same together. At this time, the wall members and 21 will become bowed apart and the mouth opening of the pouch will again be enlarged to permit the keys to drop out to the position shown in FIGURES 2 and 6.

It is to be noted that the wall surfaces 21? and 21 serve a useful purpose of assisting to retain the keys in place during periods of non-use, with the deformation of these walls by the

stored keys

14, 14 serving to bow the walls outwardly and thus retain the keys against accidental dislodgement as clearly shown in FIGURE 3. Obviously, however, when this distorted condition is relieved by finger pressure (as shown in FIGURE 2), the keys will be free to fall downward to the influence of gravity.

The modified form of the invention, shown in FIG- URES 7 and 8, envisions the use of a modified form of chain-supporting means, and accordingly, the pouch and chain members correspond substantially to the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 6, with the exception that these pouches are not provided with integral ledges of the type shown in FIGURES 1 through 6. Accordingly, and in reference to the description of the pouch, the same numbers will be used as were used in connection with FIGURES 1 through 6.

Accordingly and referring to FIGURES 7 and 8, it will be noted that the

opposed walls

20 and 21 are provided with opposed apertures 211a and 20b through which may be passed the male and

female halves

50 and 51 of a post and bolt connection of a type well known in the art, with key chain 13 being looped over the post assembly as clearly shown in the drawings.

Operation of this modified form of the invention is as previously described in connection with FIGURES 1 through 6 and does not require redescription at this point.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 9 utilizes the identical pouch shown in FIGURES 1 through 6, with a substitute spring clip 60 being employed in lieu of the previously described chain-supporting means 12 of FIGURES 1 through 6. As shown in FIGURE 9, the clip 60 is preferably of fiat steel material so as to have opposed edges 61 and 62 that can rest on the ledge as shown in FIGURE 9. In this regard, the width of the clip 60 preferably corresponds to the distance between

walls

20, 21, with the clip 60 being formed with an integral loop 63 therein through which the chain 13 may be passed, as clearly shown in FIGURE 9 of the drawings.

As an important feature of a modified form of the invention as shown in FIGURE 9, it will be noted that the chain 13, in its free condition, is disposed at right angles to the plane of the

walls

20 and 21, as shown in FIGURES 1 through 6 of the drawings. The net effect of this is to position the

key

14, 14 in FIGURE 9 in parallel relation with

such wall surfaces

20, 21, with such positioning serving to enhance the retracting of the key to the storage position shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES 10 and 11 envisions the use of a plain pouch 70 having an end wall 71 and opposed

flat walls

72 and 73 that merge into edge walls to define the pouch of the type herein being described. The end wall 71 of FIGURES 10 and 11 is shown provided with a slot 74 which, due to the rubbery nature of the body material as previously described, can be stretched to permit insertion of the loop end 75 of the chain carrier 76, with the chain carrier 76 4 serving the same function as the previously described chain carriers of FIGURES 1 through 9 and with the flanged ends 77, 77 resting on the outer surface of the wall 71 as clearly shown in FIGURE 11 of the drawings.

Again, upon assembly of the component parts of the modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 11 to the position shown therein, operation will be eifectuated as previously described.

In the forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 11, all of the chain carriers have been positioned adjacent the closed end of the pouch in opposed relationship to the open end thereof.

In the modified form of the invention shown in FIG- URE 12, however, the chain keeper 85 is shown positioned on the edge wall 81 of the pouch 3G, with the pouch being of a similar configuration to the previously described pouches, other than for the provision of a ledge surface 82 on the interior surface of the wall 81, with this ledge surface 82 serving to support the clip 85 that is preferably identical in contour to the clip 6% described in connection with FIGURE 9. Under this circumstance, the ends of the clip 85 are supported with respect to the pouch by engagement with the front and rear

flat walls

86 and 87, as well as with the support ledge 82, as shown in FIG- URE 12.

The obvious advantage of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 12 is that the same facilitates easier positioning of the chain carrier with respect to the pouch, due to the fact that the area of support is more readily accessible than is the case in the pouch shown in FIGURES 1 through 11.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the patent statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is no intended to be limited to the scope herein shown.

Thus, it is fully contemplated, as noted before, that the material of the pouch can be varied so long as the same remains flexible and possesses recovery properties, with it also being understood that while a unitary pouch is shown, that the invention contemplates the use of a two-piece pouch wherein a sleeve of material has one end thereof closed by a complementally contoured cap. Also, while the chain has been shown as forming a continuous loop in the preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to this form, since, obviously, other cord or like materials could be employed, either in single strand or loop fashion, as desired, with it also being noted that the length of the cord could be less than shown, provided that other means, such as elastic string, etc., were provided to permit the keys to be positioned exteriorly of the pouch, as above described.

Accordingly, modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A key case of the character described, comprising;

(1) a unitary flexible open-end pouch formed of rubbery material and including substantially parallel fiat wall surfaces that integrally merge with the edge walls of said pouch;

(2) at least one support shoulder formed in the body portion of said pouch;

(3) chain supporting means supported interiorly of said pouch by said support shoulder;

(4) a key chain having its ends connected to form an endless loop ((1) carried by said chain supporting means and (b) having a length suflicient to permit the same to be extended in free condition through said open end to a position exteriorly of said pouch.

2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said support shoulder projects inwardly towards the interior of said pouch with the same being formed adjacent the closed end of said pouch.

3. The device of claim 2 further characterized by the fact that said chain supporting means include a blocklike member having a chain receiving groove opening outwardly thereof, with a portion of said groove being enclosed by said pouch when said chain supporting means are positioned on said shoulder.

4. The device of claim 2 further characterized by the fact that said chain supporting means include a wire clip having its edges supported on said shoulder and having a formed loop intermediate said edges for reception of said chain.

5. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said support shoulder projects inwardly towards the interior of said pouch with the same being formed on one edge wall thereof between said fiat walls.

6. A key case of the character described, comprising;

(1) a unitary flexible open-end pouch formed of rubbery material and including substantially parallel fiat wall surfaces that integrally merge with the edge portions of said pouch;

(2) at least one support shoulder formed in the body portion of said pouch;

(3) chain supporting means supported interiorly of said pouch on said support shoulder at a spaced distance from said open end of said pouch;

(4) a key chain having its ends connected to form an endless loop (a) carried by said chain supporting means and (b) having a length sufficient to permit the same to be extended in free condition through said open end to a position exteriorly of said pouch,

and (c) freely hanging in a plane that is at substantially right angles to said wall surfaces whereby a key carried on said chain will be disposed in substantial parallelism with said wall surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 13, 1961

Claims

1. A KEY CASE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING; (1) A UNITARY FLEXIBLE OPEN-END POUCH FORMED OF RUBBERY MATERIAL AND INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL FLAT WALL SURFACES THAT INTEGRALLY MERGE WITH THE EDGE WALLS OF SAID POUCH; (2) AT LEAST ONE SUPPORT SHOULDER FORMED IN THE BODY PORTION OF SAID POUCH; (3) CHAIN SUPPORTING MEANS SUPPORTED INTERIORLY OF SAID POUCH BY SAID SUPPORT SHOULDER; (4) A KEY CHAIN HAVING ITS ENDS CONNECTED TO FORM AN ENDLESS LOOP (A) CARRIED BY SAID CHAIN SUPPORTING MEANS AND (B) HAVING A LENGTH SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT THE SAME TO BE EXTENDED IN FREE CONDITION THROUGH SAID OPEN END TO A POSITION EXTERIORLY OF SAID POUCH.