US20050204789A1

US20050204789A1 - Key holder

Info

Publication number: US20050204789A1
Application number: US11/081,243
Authority: US
Inventors: Carlos Brion Camean; Luis Seijas Barreiro; Giancarlo Rodriguez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-17
Filing date: 2005-03-16
Publication date: 2005-09-22
Also published as: ES2277477B1; ES2277477A1

Abstract

The present invention, as it is expressed in the statement of this descriptive memory, refers to a key holder that has the purpose of grouping inside a box several keys in a form totally gathered occupying a reduced volume, so that when one is going to utilize one of the keys, the extraction of the key will be done in automatic manner by pressuring over a spring button, the key staying always attached to that box. It is made up of a box in whose interior are located various modules which are superimposed and stacked leading keys via independent ways which allow the gathering of the keys and also their extraction through turning of keys to the exterior for their usage. The application also can be extended to a set of screwdrivers, to a set of utensils, etc.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a key holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Usually, key holders are made up in general as a support in which keys are grouped by their head which have holes that can be passed through. In this way, every time when the key holder is picked with the hand, the keys will be in contact with each other and at times the selection of the key to be used consumes time and is uncomfortable. Furthermore, the keys appear disorganized and in disarray in appearance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of other key holders by providing a key holder which makes organizing keys easier. The key holder which makes up the object of the invention is determined to start with a prismatic rectangular box which lacks two contiguous lateral walls, at the same time that in its interior are located various modules superimposed, stacked, each one carries a key. Also, the higher base of the box is made up of a cover which can be disassembled.
Nonetheless, the box could have any other different configuration such as elliptic, adapting itself to the form of the modules of such configuration.
These modules make up a flat base corresponding with the bases of the box and two contiguous lateral partitions corresponding with the two lateral walls of the box.
Also, each module incorporates a device of anchorage and liberation of the respective key, in this way the anchoring corresponds itself when the key is found hidden inside of the module and consequently inside of the box, at the same time that the position of liberation corresponds itself when the body of the respective key is found available in the exterior to be able to introduce it inside the lock.
To be able to make use of the device of anchoring and liberation, the heads of the keys incorporate a surrounding cover with a salient portion affected of a smaller orifice next to another orifice greater which incorporates all the keys, so that in such greater orifice it is fitted a short axis, around which turning the key from the position of anchorage to the extreme position of liberation and viceversa.
As well, in the smaller orifice fits a short pin which guides itself during the turning of the key in a curved groove established in the flat base of each module.
In proximity to the ends of such curved groove exist cradles associated to rigid rods that converge in a button spring so that when pressure is put on a button spring, the curved space of the groove is freed totally, with which the key will be able to tilt or to turn, in one first option from the position of anchorage to the one of liberation with the help of an elastic spring in spiral connected by its ends to the spin axis, whereas the extreme opposite end is connected to the pin.
However, in one second option and also maintaining pressure on the button spring to manually lower the key from the liberation position to the position of anchorage within the modules and of the box.
The extreme stable ends positions of liberation and anchorage remain secured through the wedges, in this way the short pin will remain immobilized between one of the extremes of the curved groove and the respective wedge in each one of those extreme positions.
The different push buttons remain arranged in vertical directions appearing above the upper cover of the box. Each one of these buttons is found lodged in an interior hole of a small prismatic portion of quadrangular bases, so that as the different modules are superimposed, these prismatic portions will be of greater length as the modules are found in the lower levels with which, the modules will be affected by quadrangular entrants to be able to adapt the different superimposed modules fitting the quadrangular portions of the lower modules in the entrants which are found on the above surface.
The prismatic portions are found located in the corresponding sides with the greater lateral walls of the modules, at the same time that the two lateral walls of those modules incorporate nerves of insertion in the established complementary channels established in the two lateral walls of the box.
The immobilization of the adapted modules to the box is carried out by means of thin screws that are thread in the lateral sidewalls of the modules.
On the other hand it has been thought of acquiring the key holder with virgin keys, and in the same establishment of purchase to duplicate the keys if it is necessary, that is to say, the key holder would contain a series of virgin keys to copy, without the need to be inserting keys in the key holder and mounting and dismantling.
Another possibility that has been predicted is to dispense with the box that wraps the key holder and substitute it for a system of an upper cover and a lower cover, with the advantage that if a person buys a key holder of five compartments or modules and only needs two, can dismantle it easily and adapt it to the needs of the user.
In substitution of the wedges some supportive cylindrical pins of other divergent rods can be arranged, but guided in some extreme orifices of the modules, so that in the extreme positions of the keys (position folded and position unfolded or of use) the respective extension of the case of each key will be anchored in those pins through a second orifice located in the extensions of the cases of the keys.
In this case, the case incorporates and added arched portion with a determined angular amplitude, so that when a key is turned down to place it toward one of the extreme positions after having pressured on the button spring, the cylindrical pins will be maintained in a lower position inside the extreme orifices contacting with the lower face of that arched portion of the case until reaching the desired position of pinning of the key, where the respective pin will be introduced in the second orifice of the extension of the case. Thanks to that arched portion it is avoided that the extension of the case trips with the cylindrical pins during the turn of the key around the vertical axis.
Subsequently, to facilitate a better comprehension of this descriptive memory and forming an integral part of the same accompanying drawings which have an illustrative character and are not limitative of the object of the invention has been represented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1._Shows the representation of the object in all its perspective with a view of one of the modules which makes up part of the assembly of the invention of the key holder.
FIG. 2.—Shows a view of the object in all its perspective of angular part of various modules.
FIG. 3.—Shows a view in plant of a module that forms part of the invention of the Key Holder.
FIG. 4.—Shows a view in perspective of the box where the different modules are stacked.
FIG. 5.—It shows a view of the representation of the object in all its perspective similar to the one represented in drawing 1 with some modifications with a new execution of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Considering the numeration adopted in the drawing, the key holder of the invention is constituted from a prismatic rectangular box 1 that lacks two adjacent lateral walls, at the same time that the other two walls which are incorporated, possess some narrow channels of guided vertical 2 which correspond with some complementary nerves 3 of some modules 4 superimposed and stacked which possess a flat base and two lateral walls of scarce height that incorporate the complementary cited nerves 3. At the same time, the upper base of the box constitutes a collapsible or fold-up cover.
Each one of those modules 4 is carrier of a key 6, at the same time that incorporates a device of anchorage and liberation 7 of the respective key 6 remaining this always linked to the base of the module 4 through a short vertical axis 8 where the head of the key 6 adapts itself by way of a greater orifice 9.
The head of the key 6 incorporates an encircling case that possesses a small extension 11 affected of a smaller orifice 12 where it is adjusted a short pin 13 which guides itself during the turning of the key 6 in an arched groove 14 established on the flat base of the modules 4.
The key 6 can adopt two extreme positions: one interior where key 6 is totally hidden inside of the module 4 and consequently inside the box 1 and one second exterior usage position where at least the body of the key 6 remains at the disposition on the outside of said box 1 excelling in correspondence with one of the minor faces of the box 1 which lacks a minor wall.
The exterior position can be achieved through a spring in spiral 15, whose extreme bent portions are hooked in some entrances or lower 16 grooves of the axis 9 and pin 13.
The device incorporates also a spring button 17 where two divergent rods are connected 18 associated by its extreme sections bent to path wedges 19 located in the arched groove 14 in proximity to its extremes so that when pressure is put on that bottom 17 against the resistance of a helicoidal spring, the arched groove 14 remains totally liberated to situate the key 6 in the position of use or in position of being collected inside the box 1, as it corresponds.
The exterior portion is reached through the action of spring in spiral 15 after pressuring on the spring button 17, while the position collected is carried out manually with the hand pushing on the key 6 against the resistance of such spring in spiral 15, maintaining the pressure on the spring button 17, at least until saving the wedge 19 closer to the exterior position.
On the other hand, the two extreme positions of the key 6 remain secured through the wedges 19 (or by means of the wedges), so that once reached such positions the short pin 13 will be retained between the respective extreme of the arched groove 14 and the corresponding wedge 19. The wedges 19 have flat inclined pathways facing each other, in this way when the pin 13 is situated in the space of groove 14 limited by the two wedges 19, the force of the spring in spiral 15 will be able to turn the key 6 until reaching the extreme position of usage displacing the respective wedge downward. Likewise this will happen when the key 6 will be put in the collected position.
The different buttons 17 are arranged in vertical directions appearing above the upper cover 5 of the box 1. Each one of these buttons 17 are found located in the interior hole of a small prismatic portion 20 of quadrangular bases, in this was as the different modules 4 are superimposed, these prismatic 20 portions will be of greater length as the modules 4 are found in the lower levels, with which, the modules 4 will be affected of quadrangular 20 in the entrances 21 of the modules 4 which are found over.
The prismatic portions are found located in correspondence with the greater lateral wall of the modules 4.
The immobilization of the modules 4 adapted to the box 1 is carried out through extended screws 22 which thread in the lateral walls of said modules 4.
The modules 4 as the bases of the box 1 are affected by some curved 23 lower which facilitate the collection of the key 6.
Finally it fits to indicate that the stiff rods are found located in correspondence with some furrows 24 established in the lower face of the bases of the modules 4.
The short vertical axis 8 is a piece injected on the flat surface of the module that corresponds with an orifice pin 25 concentric with the groove pin 14. Besides, said vertical axis 8 is susceptible to a ring resort on which the respective key will support and will slide during its movement with the advantage of not interfering with the spring in spiral 15.
The modules unite among themselves through thin rods 30 which adjust in established perforations in the lateral walls of the modules 4.
Another different execution consists of substituting the wedges 19 by the extreme cylindrical pins 27 supportive of other divergent rods 13′ but guided in respective orifices 28 of two modules 4, orifices that are found in a concentric circumferencial contour with the vertical axis 8 and with a greater radial distance than the arched groove 14.
This execution is complemented besides with a second orifice 29 located in the small extension of the case 10 so that in the extreme positions of the respective key 6, the cylindrical pins 27 will be introduced in the second orifice of the extension 11 of the wrapping of the case 10. To facilitate this anchorage the cited pins will end up in pieces of convex heads.
With this new system it is avoided in a sure safe form that the keys lower accidentally towards outside until the usage position.
In this new execution the case (10) incorporated an added arched portion (32) with a determined angular amplitude in this way when the key (6) se abate to place it towards one of the extreme positions after having pressured on the spring button (17), the cylindrical pins (27) will maintain themselves in a lower position inside of the extreme orifices (28) contacting with the lower face of that arched portion (32) of the case (10), until reaching the desired nailing position of the key (6), where the respective pin (27) will introduce itself in the second orifice (29) of the extension (11) of the case (10). Thanks to that arched portion (32) it is avoided that the extension of the case (10) trips with the cylindrical pins (27) during the turn of the key (6) around the short vertical axis (8). With this execution also, the extension of the case with the two orifices (12) and (29) constitute really an extreme part of the arched added portion (32).

Claims

1.—KEYHOLDER, that being a carrier of several keys, it characterizes itself because it is made up of a set of modules (4) of little height superimposed and stacked, and arranged at least between a higher base (5) and a lower base (5′), at the same time that each of those modules is a carrier of a key associated to its respective module through a device of anchorage and liberation (7) of the respective key (6) so that in an extreme position the key remains hidden inside the respective module, whereas in another usage position at least the body of the key shows by outside from a lateral point of the module.

2.—KEYHOLDER, according to the claim 1, characterized because the device of anchorage and liberation is determined to start from a spring in spiral (15), whose extremes are fixed in a short fixed axis (8) where it adapts by uniting the head of the key (6) by mediation of a greater orifice (9), while the extreme opposite of that spring in spiral (15) it fixes itself to a short pin (13) associated also to the head of the key (6) by mediation of minor orifice 12, in proximity to the greater orifice (9), being adjusted and guided of said pin (13) in an arched groove (14), including also some elements of coupling of the extreme positions of the key that are supportive of two rods that converge on a spring push button (17), as it is pressed down the coupling of the key is liberated, everything in order to be able to put the key in the exterior position of usage pressing the spring button (17) through the spring in spiral (15) and also be able to place the key in the collected position inside of the module pushing with the hand, against the resistance of that same spring in spiral (15).

3.—KEYHOLDER, according to the claim 2, characterized because the push buttons (17) are located in the in the interior hole of some prismatic portions (20) supportive of the modules (4), appearing said push buttons above the upper base (5), so that the prismatic portions (20) increase its height as the modules find themselves in lower levels, counting for it the modules with complementary entrants (21) where they are inserted part of such prismatic portions (20).

4.—KEYHOLDER, according to claim 2, characterized because the modules (4) are part of a flat base of a rectangular form and two adjacent lateral walls, counting the flat base with the short axis (8) of joint of the key (6) with the arched groove (14), at the same time that the lower face of such flat base includes two furrows (24) where two rods that converge are located on the push button (17).

5.—KEYHOLDER, according to claim 2, characterized because the minor orifices (12) where the short pins are adjusted (13) are located in a radial extension (11) which are part of some wrapped cases (10) adapted in the keys' heads (6).

6.—KEYHOLDER, according to claims 2 and 4 characterized because the elements of coupling consist in some wedges (19) with flats inclines located in the extremes of the arched groove (14) established in the flat base of the respective module (4).

7.—KEYHOLDER, according to claims 2 and 4, characterized by the elements of coupling consist in some extreme pins (27) guided in some orifices (28) located in the flat base of the modules (4), being complemented with said pins (27) with a second orifice (29) located in the radial (1 1) extension of the case (10) of the key (6), putting such pins in convex portions, including in addition to the case an arched portion (32), one of which extreme pieces constitute the radial extension (11), everything in itself in order to avoid interruptions during the turning of the key (6).

8.—KEYHOLDER, according to claim 1, characterized because the modules (4) and upper bases (5) and lower (5′) are united among themselves through narrow rods (30) which adjust themselves in complementary drillings (31) established in perimetrical portions of those modules (4) and bases (5,5′).

9.—KEYHOLDER, according to the claim 1, characterized because the modules (4) are located inside a box (1) which is made up of two contiguous lateral walls, one higher base and another lower base.

10.—KEYHOLDER, according to the claim 9, characterized because the lateral walls of the box (1) and modules (4) include nerves (3) and channels (2) complementary of guidance and connection among themselves.

11.—KEYHOLDER, according to any of the claims 4 and 9, characterized because the flat bases of the modules (4), the same as the upper bases (5) and lower (5′) are affected by a lower arched (23) confronting each other.

12.—KEYHOLDER, according to claim 2, characterized because the box (1) is made of a parallel configuration, whose upper base (5) can be disassembled, at the same time that it does not have two contiguous lateral walls.

13.—KEYHOLDER, according to claim 2, characterized because the short vertical axis (8) includes a finger button (26) at half height of the seat of the head of the key (6).