EP0377917A2

EP0377917A2 - Spare key container

Info

Publication number: EP0377917A2
Application number: EP89203298A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean Elst
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-01-11
Filing date: 1989-12-22
Publication date: 1990-07-18
Also published as: EP0377917A3

Abstract

Spare key container, characterized in that it mainly consists in a card (1) in which a cut-away (2) is provided for a spare key (3), where this card (1) shows a thickness equal or approximately equal to the thickness of the spare key (3) and in which at least around the aforementioned cut-away (2) a sealing device (4) is provided for in such way that the spare key (3) can only be removed from the container by severance of latter.

Description

Present invention refers to a container for a spare key.
It is known that spare keys, as well car keys as house keys and possibly others, are often not found when needed because they have been stored in a location which has been forgotten later on. Present invention thus refers to a device allowing such spare key to be easily carried along without being a nuisance, in which one moreover avoids that the spare key as such shall be utilized for daily use.
Another aim of the invention consists in providing for a device allowing that a spare key be given to another person to be held for safekeeping, in such way that one may check later on whether this person has used this key or not. This is particularly advantageous in apartment buildings, blocks and similar to for instance give a spare house key for safekeeping with the caretaker. In this way an increased safety is achieved in that the caretaker shall only use this key in cases where it is strictly required, as this can be determined later on thanks to the invention. On the other hand the invention allows the caretaker, in case of burglary, to prove that the key held for safekeeping by him has not been used.
For this purpose present invention refers to a container for a spare key, characterized in that it mainly consists in a card in which a cut-away for a spare key is provided, where this card shows a thickness equal or approximately equal to that of the key and where at least around aforementioned cut-away a sealing device is provided for, in such way that the spare key can only be removed from the container by severance of latter, i.e. the ripping through of the card or the pulling off or ripping off the sealing device covering the cut-away.
For more clarification in better showing the characteristics according to the invention, a preferable embodiment is described hereafter, as an example without any restrictive character, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which :

figure 1 represents the container according to the invention ;
figure 2 is a large scale cross section according to line II-II in figure 1.

As shown in the drawings the spare key container according to the invention mainly consists in a card 1 showing a cut-away 2 for a spare key 3, where this card 1 possesses a thickness equal or approximately equal to the thickness of the spare key 3, where at least around aforementioned cut-away 2 a sealing device 4 is provided for. Card 1 consists preferably of a hard synthetic material, for instance plastic, while the cut-away 2 formed in it exactly matches the shape of the spare key 3. The cut-away 2 can be obtained by this part being chopped away, cut away or stamped out.
The sealing device 4 consists preferably in a hard transparent foil. It can be applied locally over the cut-away 2, but the sealing device 4 should preferably consist in two layers 5 and 6 which extend respectively over the top and bottom of the card 1 and which are sealed together at the edges of the card by means of an adhesive or welded joint 7. The foil or similar can also be glued to respectively the top and bottom of the card.
Card 1 preferably shows a size which matches that of a credit card or similar, in such way that it can easily be kept in a wallet or letter case.
In the case of car spare keys such a container, in which the spare key is placed, can be delivered at the time of purchase of the car. In the case of house spare keys a simple device can be provided for at a keyshop which allows to make an adequate cut-away 2 in card 1 and to, after the insertion therein of the spare key, place the sealing device 4 around the card 1, for instance by machine welding of the two layers 5 and 6.
The container can equipped with a space 8 allowing for inserting a printed message such as advertising or a personal identification such as a signature.
Present invention is in no way restricted to the embodiment described and represented in the drawings as an example, but such container can be produced in all forms and dimensions without leaving the scope of the invention.

Claims

1.- Spare key container, characterized in that it mainly consists in a card (1) where a cut-away (2) is provided for a spare key (3), in which this card (1) shows a thickness equal or approximately equal to the thickness of the spare key (3) and where at least around the aforementioned cut-away (2) a sealing device (4) is provided for in such way that the spare key (3) can only be removed from the container by severance of latter.

2.- Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the cut-away (2) matches the shape of the key (3).

3.- Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the card (1) consists of hard synthetic material.

4.- Container according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the sealing device (4) consist in a foil placed over the cut-away (2).

5.- Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the foil consists of hard transparent synthetic material.

6.- Container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the foil stretches over the complete bottom, respectively top of the card (1) in two layers (5-6).

7.- Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the two layers (5-6) are welded together at the edges of the card (1).