Patent Application
20050035005
The present invention relates to the field of devices for carrying paper money and spare keys, and more particularly to a money clip which is adapted to also retain one or more spare keys.
Currently, in the marketplace, there are available a wide variety of devices that are intended to hold bills or folding money, credit cards, keys and spare change. However, none of these devices effectively and securely retains folding money as well as one or more spare keys.
In reviewing the prior art, the following patents are found that primarily retain keys or key rings: U.S. Des. 382,105 issued to J. Bonaldi; U.S. Pat. No. 1,206,074 issued to A. Zwiener; U.S. Pat. No. 845,743 issued to A. Bindner; U.S. Des. 374,765 issued to S. Jones; U.S. Design Pat. No. 364,269 issued to Mark Sabosky discloses a key clip with pinching velcro closure elements; and, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 468,090 issued to Amir Tirosh discloses a key chain clip with an interior compartment.
Additional patents disclose the use of money clips with various other features. U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,909 issued to Harrold Hall discloses the use of a substantially wide money clip with a change purse disposed thereupon. U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,623 issued to P. T. Cocchiaraley discloses the use of a money clip attached to a chain wherein the money clip is comprised of one contiguous metal wire for expediency in manufacture. U.S. Pat. No. 3,027,995 issued to W. I. Littmon discloses the use of a money clip with a change box disclosed thereupon.
One patent that discloses the use of a money clip with an interior compartment for retaining one key is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 349,389 issued to James Ezzo. And yet a further patent discloses the use of a clip for retaining heavy objects, such as a golf bag is U.S. Pat. No. Des. 467,068.
And finally, a key clip design that utilized a velcro closure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 364,269 issued to Mark Sabosky.
Thus, no where in the prior art is there disclosed a money clip which is capable of securing and retaining one or more spare keys, such as a house key and/or a car key, in case the user of the device forgets or misplaces a set of keys.
The present invention consists of a money clip having spare key retainment means wherein, in one preferred embodiment, a bias spring clip is used to retain folding money or paper money and disposed on the exterior of the spring clip is means for slidingly receiving one or more spare keys. In such a manner, it is convenient for the use of a device to keep a spare house key and/or a spare car key on hand in case the user either misplaces or loses his keys or is locked out of house or car. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, a gently sloped retainer housing is disposed to one side of the opposing spring clip blades. The retainer housing is further provided with opposing slot members through which one or more spare keys may be slidingly received and retained there between.
In an alternate preferred form of the present invention, a separate clip member is slidingly received on one of the opposing spring clip blades. The clip member, when attached to one of the opposing spring clip blades, provides an aperture through which one or more keys may be slidingly received and retained there between.
In either version of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, along one portion or more of the spring clip blades may be provided a substantially planar decorative surface upon which advertising material may be imprinted upon. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the decorative planar surface is shaped to resemble a heart, but other decorative shapes such as circles, ovals, flower shapes and the like may be utilized in the present invention to accomplish the some objectives of providing a convenient advertising space. The exterior of the rear blade may also be used to provide advertising space.
It is further anticipated that the present invention may be made from a wide range of materials, depending upon the budget allowed and the durability of the product. It is entirely possible that the present invention may be made from a decorative metal such as brass or copper, or it may be mode from mere steel or steel alloy with a decorative plating of brass, chrome or even gold or silver.
Thus, in such a manner, a simple but effective means is provided by which a user of a money clip may safely and securely retain one or more spare keys to ensure that he or she is never locked out of home ore car.
Thus, it is one primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective money clip and key retainer wherein the money clip comprises two opposing spring clips or blades which are capable of receiving and securely retaining one or more pieces of folding money.
It is yet an additional primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective money clip and key retainer wherein the retainer is comprised of a small clip which is slidingly received upon one side of the spring clips or blades of the money clip wherein it creates an aperture into which may be slipped one or more spare keys.
Still a further primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective money clip and key retainer wherein in one preferred embodiment a raised box like area is created along one spring clip or blades of the money clip portion of the device and opposing apertures in this raised portion create means by which one or more keys may be slidingly received and retained there between.
Yet an additional primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective money clip and key retainer wherein the money clip and key retainer may be made from metal or metal alloy so as to provide aesthetic beauty and a durable device.
Another primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective money clip and key retainer wherein the device may be made from plastic or other copolymer for durability and economy of manufacture.
Still a further primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective money clip and key retainer wherein a substantially decorative shaped planar portion is provided along the length of the bias spring clip or blade wherein an ad may be imprinted thereupon so the user may recall the name, location or phone number of a business, and further a back blade element is provided with a substantially planar surface upon which additional advertising may be imprinted there upon.
Yet another primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective money clip and key retainer wherein the device is compact and may be easily slipped into a shirt or pants pocket where a traditional billfold will not fit.
An additional primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective money clip and key retainer wherein all edges of the device are curved so that the device will not tear or damage clothing while in use.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention can be readily derived from the following detailed description of the drawings taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings present herein and should be considered as within the overall scope of the invention.
Shown now in
Also provided on bias spring or clip portion 12 is a heart shaped substantially planar advertising surface 20 upon which may be etched or imprinted in a wide variety of manners commonly used in the prior art, either the user's initials or an advertising slogan or the name, phone number or location of a business, or its trademark, logo or other company image. Accordingly, if the present invention were made from plastic or other copolymer and imprinted with the name, phone number and location of a business, it can be a most effective promotional piece that can be mass produced at relatively low cost. The user is likely to keep and refer to such a piece for a very long period of time, enhancing the consumer's impression of a business name.
Thus, in such a manner a highly effective and cost efficient method of both advertising a business, product or service is shown, together with a very simple to manufacture combination money clip and spare key retainer which is likely to be used and referred to by the owner for many years to come.
Although in the foregoing detailed description the present invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and alterations in the structure and arrangement of those embodiments other than those specifically set forth herein may be achieved by those skilled in the art and that such modifications and alterations are to be considered as within the overall scope of this invention.
