BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of a mechanically leveraged coil key ring opener incorporating the basic components in accordance with the present invention being actuated by the end user with a digit and thumb on opposing platforms;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the key ring opener axially spreading the spring coil ring strips of a key ring to remove or insert a key onto the key ring without the digits and thumb on the opposing platforms of FIG. 1 showing a key about to be inserted;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the key ring opener according to the present invention wherein the key ring opener separates the spring coil ring strips and a key is inserted on a leg of the spring coil of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing a key being removed from a coil on the key ring of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a partial side view of opposing prongs on the key ring opener showing the arc of travel of the key ring opener of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the key ring opener in accordance with the invention showing a digit and thumb operating the arc movement of the opposing prongs;
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the key ring opener of FIG. 6 axially spreading the spring coil ring strips of the key ring for inserting or removing a key in accordance with the embodiments of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the key ring opener showing a digit and thumb operating the arcing movement of the opposing prongs in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the key ring opener in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still yet another embodiment of the key ring opener in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Although this invention is susceptible to embodiments of many different forms, a preferred embodiment will be described and illustrated in detail herein. The present disclosure exemplifies the principles of the invention and is not to be considered a limit to the broader aspects of the invention to the particular embodiment as described.
Referring now to the drawings and especially to FIGS. 1-4, 6-7 and 8-10, all show a mechanically leveraged spring coil key ring opener 10 having more than one embodiment in keeping with the invention. The mechanically leveraged key ring opener 10 of the present invention is generally comprised of at least two essentially identical opposing members 12, each member 12 having a generally oblong shape 14 of a predetermined length, width and thickness that terminates at one end in a hooked prong or jaw 16 ending with a generally rounded nose 18 having an end point 20 that is spaced apart from the rounded nose 18 on the other member 12 a predetermined distance, and each member 12 having the other end 22 of its oblong shape 14 joined to the other member by pin 24 or the like in an affixed and rotatably connection thereto including a spring 26 affixed to the pivot pin 24 and to each member 12 at the connected ends 22 of the members 12 to force apart the respective noses 18 of the members 12 the predetermined distance such that the noses 18 swing in an arc toward and pass one another in a generally a close juxtapose relationship to each other to engage between adjacent spring coil ring strips 28 on an inner 30 and an outer 32 circumference of a coil key ring 34 to split the adjacent coil ring strips 28 axially apart for insertion and removal of keys 36 in a leveraged manner without any great force being applied by a thumb 38 and at least one finger or digit 40 of an operator's hand 42 on the backside of the opposing noses 18 on each member 12 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6-10. A pair of generally identical surfaces 44 either integrally or separately attached in a generally perpendicular relationship to the backside 46 of each prong 16 and nose 18 forming opposing platforms 48 for placing at least one digit 40 on the surface of one platform and the thumb 38 on the other platform 48 to rotate the noses 18 of each prong 16 in an arc 50 toward one another to engage the opposite sides or circumferences 30 and 32 of two adjacent spring coil ring strips 28 on a key ring 34 driving the coils axially apart up to a predetermined distance as the noses 18 pass one another to a predetermined point in their travel in which the adjacent coil ring strips 28 move axially apart from one another as one of the coil ring strips 28 travel up the curved underside of each nose 18 away from the essentially stationary coil 28 on the outer surface of each nose 18 as the noses 18 pass one another in the generally arcing motion 50 as shown in FIG. 5, and in a juxtapose position. The opposing noses 18 swinging in the arc 50 toward one another allows an easy thumb 38 and finger 40 pressure on the opposing platforms 48 behind each prong 16 and nose 18 to place a leveraged pressure on axially separating adjacent spring coil ring strips 28 of the spring coil key ring 34 as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2. The levering action of opposing noses 18 is not accomplished by any prior art tools, which essentially jam a single wedge or point between adjacent coils 28 to axially move the coils 28 apart to insert or remove a key 36.
FIGS. 1-4 show two pair of opposing members 12 with each pair of opposing members 12 spaced apart a predetermined distance from the other pair of opposing members 12 to maximize the effectiveness of axially separating the spring steel coil ring strips 28 of the key ring 34 from one another when inserting and removing the keys 36 from the spring coil key ring 34. The two pair of opposing members 12 have the platforms 48 connected perpendicular to the arcing motion across the tops of the two spaced apart pair of opposing member 12 in which each pair of opposing members having their jaw in an open position creating an opening of a predetermined distance between the end points or teeth 20 for inserting spring coil key ring therebetween. which provides the previously stated mechanical leverage that makes it easy for the operator to open the spring steel key ring strips 34 by inserting the end points 20 of the hooked prongs 16 between the adjacent spring coil ring strips 28 to axially spread them apart from each other the predetermined distance for insertion and removal of the keys 36. The ends of the pairs of the spaced apart members 12 are hinged together at their other ends 22 by a common pivot pin 24.
With regard to the key ring opener 10 of the present invention, the opposing prongs 16, nose 18, points 20 and platforms 48 with its outer covers 44 are made of such materials as metals, nylon, hardened plastic or other suitable materials that are able to axially separate the spring coil rings 28 that are generally made out of steel or other suitable and durable metal or material requiring a substantial force to separate each adjacent coil 28 from the other to insert a key 36 or the like onto the key chain 34.
FIGS. 1-5 and 9 show a spring biased key ring opener 10 that keeps each opposing hooked prong 16 and its nose 18 spaced apart a predetermined distance from the other for easy use by a service station or dealership personnel charged with separating many keys from car key rings. In addition, valets at restaurants who handled hundred of cars in an evening of dining where the customers only want to leave the ignition key with the valet service and to take off the house and even the trunk key, which often contains stored goods from shopping or other valuables, is in need of the present invention to make their jobs easier in removing and reinserting keys on the typical spring steel key ring chain.
FIGS. 6 and 8 shows the insertion of the thumb 38 and at least one digit 40 into holes 52 on opposing hooked prongs 16 of FIGS. 6 and 8 to open the hooked prongs 16 and their points 20 to engage the spring coils 28 for axially separating them on a key ring chain 34. Note also that the openers in FIGS. 6-10 are all just a single pair of opposing members 12 unlike the openers 10 of FIGS. 1-4, which are two pair of opposing members 12 spaced apart a predetermined distance from one another. In addition, FIG. 6 shows a nib 50 and a detent 52 that are aligned on each opposing member 12 to engage each other when operating the tool to its closed position to hold each opposing member in a fixed closed position for the tool for carrying the tool in an end users pocket or for storage purposes.
In addition, the opener 10 is able to be made out of a single piece of spring metal that general is in the same configuration the previously describe opener 10 in which the two members 12 are held apart by the naturally memory of the spring metal. Here as in the other openers 10 an important feature is the opposing hooked prongs 16 that end in a similar rounded off opposing noses 18 and points 20 that are spaced apart a predetermined arcing distance from one another to protect the end user from jabbing themselves with a sharp point to engage the spring coils 28 that are often found in prior art key ring openers.
Another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, an opener 10 in which the prongs 16 are in a bias closed position without the spring 26 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 keeping the opposing points 20 opened a predetermined space, provides for storage or carrying in an end user's pocket. Each hooked prong 16 or nose 18 includes indentations or holes 52 near the end of each nose 18 such that the operator can grip the sides of the opener 10 with a thumb 38 and a digit 40 to open the jaws formed by the two hooked prongs 16 and their respective noses 18 and points 20. Then when the opposing points 20 are closed like a jaw between adjacent coils 28 like previously described, the spring coil rings 28 are axially separated from one another to insert or remove a key 36 on the spring coil key ring 34.
Also, the outer cover of the platform 48 on the backside of each hooked prong 16 and nose 18 may be integral with the material of the hooked prong 16 and nose 18 or a separate material like plastic or the like mounted onto the backside 46 of the hooked prong 16 and nose 18. In short, the present invention easily opens expandable coil type key rings 34 having a circular coil 28 with strip ends that partially over lap one another to allow the insertion or removal of keys and remote actuators for vehicles without causing damage or injury to the keys 36 or to the person's hand 42, fingers 40 and thumb 38 doing the insertion or removal. The upper and lower opposing members 12 and their respective hooked prongs 16 and noses 18 are generally made of metal and connected to each other by a typical hinged pin 24. The outer coverings 44 of the opposing platforms 48 for placing a person's finger 40 thereon are generally made of plastic, rubber or metal in an array of pleasing colors. But the important thing is the leverage that this key ring opening tool 10 of the present invention gives the person operating it whether the key ring opener 10 is biased open with the spring 26 in FIGS. 1-5 and FIG. 9 or generally bias closed as shown and described for the opener 10 in FIG. 6-8 and FIG. 10. With just minor effort on the part of the end user, the key ring coil strips 28 are axially separated and held open without great effort on the end user's part while the keys 36 and the remote car fob (not shown) are removed without injuring a finger nail, finger or hand.
Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, opposing members 12 extend rearwardly to their respective hinged pins 24 and then continue to extend rearwardly beyond the hinged pins 24 to form handles out of the other ends 22 for getting even greater mechanical leverage to open spring coil key rings 34. The portions of the these openers 10 engaging the adjacent spring coil ring strips 28 of the typical spring key ring chains 34 are essentially the same as the previously described components of the other key ring openers 10 of FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8 with the hooked prongs 16 and rounded noses 18 ending in points 20 for insertion between adjacent spring coils 28 of a spring coil key chain 34.
Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
Patent Application
20080041197
