EP1112699A1

EP1112699A1 - Key ring

Info

Publication number: EP1112699A1
Application number: EP00500260A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alberto Sanz Barcena
Original assignee: Manufacturas Metalicas Publicitarias SA
Current assignee: Manufacturas Metalicas Publicitarias SA
Priority date: 1999-12-20
Filing date: 2000-12-19
Publication date: 2001-07-04
Also published as: PL344562A1; ES2169641A1; ES2169641B1

Abstract

Based on a conventional key ring with its corresponding ring, or any other closure (1) and ornamental head (2), the inventions implies said head (2) bearing a currency conversion table, such as from Euros to Pesetas, or any currency, suitably printed on head (2), and in addition to said conversion table (3) a housing (7) which allows attachment and removal of a coin, token or the like (8), for which purpose housing (7) is provided with two side arms (6) which may be elastically deformed and which slightly strangle the opening of housing (7), retaining the coin, token or the like inside it in a stable position.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a key ring which, in addition to its conventional function as a key holder, fulfils a further two functions, namely a currency converter, so that it can convert Pesetas into Euros or any other European currency into Euros, or vice versa, and a support for a coin or the like which is perfectly attached to the key ring body but which is easily removed for its various uses, such as a token for lockers, supermarket carts, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Key rings conventionally consist of a hinged ring or any other form of closure, in order to place one or more keys in it, which ring is associated to a head which may have numerous forms and which mainly acts as an ornament or as an advertising means.
Said ornamental head may also be provided with an additional function, such as a bottle opener.
In addition, beyond the field of key rings, various currency conversion means are known, ranging from simple tables to calculator machines, so that the user need only search for the direct or indirect correspondence for a figure in a given currency with its equivalent in a different currency.
Specifically within the scope of key rings, also known are key rings which fulfil this currency conversion function by including an electronic circuit in their head with a corresponding digital display, providing the required conversions with the aid of a small keypad.
However, this solution is structurally complex and therefore expensive, so that its cost limits its use, and may render it prohibitive for example as promotional key rings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed solves the above exposed problems to a full satisfaction, so that by means of a simple structure and thereby an inexpensive one, the key ring also acts as a currency converter, and further includes another function as mentioned above, namely a physical support for a coin or other disc shaped element which may be easily removed from the key ring head and reinserted in it at any time.
For this purpose, and more specifically, the key ring ornamental head, preferably embodied as a flat body of any shape, is provided with a currency conversion table on at least one of its faces.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the key ring is provided with two inverse currency conversion tables on either face.
According to a further characteristic of the invention, the key ring assumes a clip-like structure, with a deep recess provided in it with considerable lateral extensions in its base define two side arms, elastically deformable, which collaborate in forming a housing for a coin or the like, which is easily attached by applying a simple pressure, such that by its emerging sector said coin or the like establishes a clearly continuous surface along the perimeter of the head.
Finally, and according to a further characteristic of the invention, the head itself and the ends of its arms are provided with side tabs which act on the sides of the coin or similar in order to stabilise it, so that the pair of tabs on the head and those provided on the ends of its arms are opposed in these elements, as well as in the overall context of the key ring, allowing the coin to be removed only by pulling on it within its own plane and preventing its accidental removal by a sideways pressure.
Obviously, when this accessory is embodied as a legal tender coin it will be initially foreign to the key ring itself, while when it consists of an ornamental disc or any other application it will be part of the key ring in its manufacturing process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further characteristics of the invention will be better understood in view of the accompanying figures of a preferred embodiment, where for purposes of illustration only the following is shown:
Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of a key ring constructed according to the object of the present invention.
Figure 2.- Shows the same key ring of the previous figure here bearing a legal tender coin.
Figure 3.- Finally shows a longitudinal sectional enlarge inset of the key ring along the A-B line of figure 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of these figures, the key ring disclosed comprises, as any conventional key ring, a ring (1) which may be circular as shown in the figures or have any other shape, without this affecting whatsoever the essence of the invention, ring (1) which receives the keys, not shown in the figures, and which is generally hinged to an ornamental head (2), embodied as a preferably flattened body of any shape, and which as an option may have any other volumetric properties, as long as it is provided in a suitable place with a conversion table (3) between any two currencies, such as a conversion table from Pesetas into Euros, which if the head is flat would be provided on one of its faces, in which case it would be provided preferably on the opposite face with the inverse table, i.e. a Euros into Pesetas table.
As a complement of the structure described, head (2) is provided, preferably opposite ring (1), with a large recess (4) with a base extending into two side extensions (5) which define corresponding arms (6), also lateral, so that the unit comprising the central and frontal area of head (2) and the ends of arms (6) define a housing (7) in which may be inserted by pressure a coin or the like (8), by a simple application of pressure and by the elastic deformation of said arms (6).
More specifically, the coin (8) may be a legal tender coin to be used as an emergency coin which is always carried with the purpose of making a telephone call from a public telephone, or to obtain a supermarket cart, etc. as mentioned before, or it may consist of any other disc shaped element, such as a token for a supermarket cart, or an ornamental object which may bear an advertising message.
In order to stabilise the coin or the like (8) in housing (7), arms (6) are provided with a small lateral tab (9) on their ends, with tabs (9) of each arm opposite each other, and intermediate extension (10) o head (2) which makes up the base of housing (7) is provided on the ends of its concave front (11) with corresponding tabs (12), also opposite each other and opposite the corresponding tabs of arms (6), acting as lateral support means which fully stabilise the coin or the like (8) in its own plane, so that as mentioned before said coin or the like (8) can only be introduced or removed from the key ring by pulling or pushing on it within its own plane.

Claims

Key ring, of the type incorporating a ring or any other conventional closure which may be opened to hold a key or set of keys, which ring or other closure means is jointed to an ornamental head, characterised in that said head (2) which is preferably flat, bears, conveniently printed on it, at least one currency conversion table (3) between two different currencies, such that head (2) further incorporates, preferably opposite ring (1), a large recess (4) provided with two wide lateral extensions (5) in its base, defining elastically deformable arms (6) which define a housing (7) for placing a coin or the like (8), which thus may be attached and removed from key ring head (2) by applying pressure, elastically deforming said arms (6).
Key ring, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it incorporates a second currency conversion table, inverse of the first.
Key ring, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the front sector (10) of head (2) framed by arms (6), in which a concave edge (11) is defined with a curvature matching that of the coin or the like (8), incorporates on the ends of said edge corresponding lateral and opposing tabs (12), while arms (6) incorporate on their free ends lateral and opposing tabs (9), which, together with the former, immobilise the coin, token or the like (8) with respect to lateral forces applied, allowing displacement of said coin, token or the like only within its own plane.