1. Field of the Invention
The present application is directed to a key ring for the secure retention and easy removal of a plurality of spring clips with split rings to which keys can be attached.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art key rings take many forms. The majority of key rings are fabricated as split key rings by winding a metal bar, having a relatively small first diameter, in an overlapping configuration to produce a coil. Since the coil is produced by the metal bar overlapping itself, the coil has an effective diameter of twice that of the first diameter for the majority of the circumference of the key ring. The metal bar used in the construction of such coils includes a first end and a second end. When the metal bar is wound in its overlapping configuration, the first and second ends terminate a small distance from one another, thereby creating a scalloped portion having the first diameter.
In practice, when a key is to be securely placed on the split key ring, the user must separate one of the ends from the coil, generally employing one of the user's fingernails, to create enough separation between the end and the remainder of the coil to permit placement of the key onto the key ring. Similarly, if the user wishes to remove a key from the split key ring, the user must again use one of his/her fingernails to provide the appropriate separation between one of the ends and the coil to permit withdrawal of the key from the split key ring.
As can be appreciated, employing a fingernail of the user to cause separation of one of the ends from a relatively rigid coil often results in damage to the user's fingernail. Alternatively, the use may employ a tool, such as a knife, screwdriver or other implement to create the aforementioned separation. However, the use of an additional implement to produce the separation complicates the process of placing or removing a key from the split key ring.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a key ring provided with a structure allowing spring clips with split key rings to be easily placed or removed from the key ring.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a key ring with a securing device to secure one or more spring clips with split key rings on the key ring.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a key ring in which the securing device to secure the spring clips with split key rings on the key ring is moveable along the circumference of the key ring.
The objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a key ring constructed from a rigid material in the form of a continuous loop, such as a circle or other geometric figure, having a first thickness for the majority of the circumference of the continuous loop (designated as a first section). The remainder of the circumference of the continuous loop encompasses a second indented section having a second thickness less than the first thickness. The key ring includes a securing device to secure the spring clips with split key rings on the key ring, and is designed to move over the continuous loop of material. When the securing device is in a first position on the continuous loop, the securing device completely covers the second indented section of the circumference.
Each spring clip includes a moveable arm and a fixed member. The moveable arm pivots to move between a first closed position to a second opened position. When the moveable arm is in the second opened position, the top of the moveable arm abuts a portion of the fixed member. The distance between the top of the moveable arm and a hook provided on the end of the fixed member is less than the first thickness, but greater than the second thickness of the continuous loop of the key ring. Therefore, the spring clip can only be placed on, or removed from the key ring when the spring clip is in proximity to the second indented section of the continuous loop having the second, smaller thickness. Since the thickness of the majority of the circumference of the continuous loop of the key ring is of the first, greater thickness, the spring clip can only be attached at the second indented section. This is because the spring clip, when fully opened and in the opened position, does not fit over the thickness of the first section. Consequently, when the securing device is in the position completely covering the smaller thickness second portion of the continuous loop of the key ring, any accidental movement of the moveable arm of the spring clip to the opened position will not result in the removal of the spring clip and the split key ring attached thereto from the key ring. Once again that is because the distance between the hook of the fixed member of the spring clip and the movable arm when fully opened is less than the first diameter or thickness of the continuous loop of the key ring. It is only when the securing device to secure the keys is moved away from the second indented section to the first section that the spring clip is capable of accessing the reduced thickness second portion of the continuous loop of the key ring. In this way, the spring clip with split key ring is permitted to be placed on or removed from the continuous loop of the key ring.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.
The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.
The key ring 8 is constructed from a sturdy metallic or hard plastic material. Additionally, it is appreciated the key ring 8 can take many shapes, as long as the key ring 8 includes a continuous loop of material including an indented section with a thickness or diameter D2 less than the thickness or diameter D1 of the remainder of the continuous loop.
A spherically shaped securing device 16 is mounted upon the continuous loop 10. In accordance with a disclosed embodiment the securing device 16 is a ball constructed from a semi-hard material. The securing device 16 can be rubber, silicone, plastic or other materials which provide for frictional sliding of the securing device 16 on the continuous circular loop 10. The securing device 16 is designed to move along the surface of the continuous loop 10 between the position shown in
Although
As best shown in
The spring clip 18 further includes a moveable arm 20 and an immobile fixed member 24 extending from the base end 35 of the spring clip 18 to a head section 22 and terminating at a hook 27 proximate to tip end 29 of the moveable arm 20. The moveable arm 20 is moveable between the closed position shown in
It is important to note that the distance D3 between the tip end 29 of the moveable arm 20 and the end 27e of the hook 27 is greater than the thickness D2 on the indented second section 14, but less than the thickness D1 of the first section 12. The relationship between thickness D1, thickness D2 and distance D3 is highly important as it permits the spring clip 18 to be attached and removed from the continuous loop 10 of the key ring 8 only at the indented second section 14 having a thickness D2. Since distance D3 is smaller than thickness D1 it cannot be attached or removed from the continuous loop 10 of the key ring 8 anywhere along first section 12, which has a thickness of D1.
Therefore, the spring clip 18 can only be placed on, or removed from, the key ring 8 at the indented second section 14. Still further, this may only be done when the indented second section 14 is uncovered by moving the securing device 16 to the position shown in
The spring clip 18 is then moved along the circumference of the continuous loop 10 of the key ring 8 to a position on the first section 12. The securing device 16 is then moved, as shown in
It will be appreciated that each of the keys 26 includes an aperture therein which permits them to be secured to the split key ring 28 in the conventional manner described in the Background of the Invention.
The securing device 55 includes a quick release pin 50 extending within the moveable housing 60 and the elongated housing 70. The quick release pin 50 includes a head 52 from which a cylindrical pin shaft 54 extends. Head 52 includes an upper projection 51 and a lower projection 53. The cylindrical pin shaft 54 includes an indented ball receiving section 56 and an enlarged ball engaging end 59. The release pin 50 is biased upwardly or outwardly by a spring 58 positioned in the moveable housing 60 between the lower projection 53 of head 52 and shoulder 65 of the moveable housing 60.
The moveable housing 60 includes an upper section 62 having an inward lip 63 and a lower shoulder 65. Position between the inward lip 63 and a lower shoulder 65 is the spring 58 which is retained in its position between the head 52 of the release pin 50 and the body of the moveable housing 60. The moveable housing 60 also includes a lower section 66 which moves in and out of the indented second section 14. Between the upper section 62 and lower section 66 are two or more balls 68 retained in apertures 69 formed in the moveable housing 60. The lower section 66 of the moveable housing 60 is retained within the elongated housing 70 and elongated housing 70 is secured about the key ring 8. The internal surface 70s of the elongated housing 70, within the pin aperture 70p, includes an internal ball recess 72. The elongated housing 70, at the juncture of the pin aperture 70p and the loop aperture 70a, also includes an internal recess 74 into which a distal end 67 of the moveable housing 60 can move in and out. The recess 74 includes a shoulder 73 and the distal end 67 includes a projection 67p. The shoulder 73 and projection 67p contact one another to prevent movable housing 60 from being separated from elongated housing 70.
As shown in
While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20150359300 A1 | Dec 2015 | US |