EP1769694A2

EP1769694A2 - Improved key ring

Info

Publication number: EP1769694A2
Application number: EP20060380254
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ramon-Laca Garcia D. David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-30
Filing date: 2006-09-25
Publication date: 2007-04-04
Also published as: US20070074551A1; CA2560797A1; EP1769694A3; AU2006222698A1; ES2285913B1; ES2285913A1

Abstract

Improved Key Ring: consists of a casing (1) that contains a number of keys (2) that are made available by the action of pressing one of a number of buttons (3), each button (3) is associated with a particular key (2); the mechanism, that allows the release or extraction of each key (2), by means of the pressing an assigned button (3), comprises of an automatic system of folding the key (3), or piston arm (4), and a mechanical system of fixing and releasing the key (3) or track (16).

Description

The invention referred to here, as expressed in the descriptive report, is a perfected key ring that provides a number of advantages and improved characteristics or alternatives with respect to those key rings already available in this field; the field is described in detail further on.
To be more precise the object invented consists of a key ring that allows the holding of a number of daily use keys by means of a simple mechanical holder within a light bodied, comfortable and easy to use casing, in which, the keys are stored and organized in a compact way.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently and with reference to the method, it must be noted that there exist a multitude of key rings of various types with distinct systems and mechanisms for holding keys.
In the majority of cases the keys are simply held together creating a large volume of keys and making selection difficult when the user wants to select and use a particular key.
Some types of key ring do currently exist that hold keys within a casing and that, by various uses of energy, allow the extraction of a key.
Thus, for example, the applicant is aware of other types of key rings that have a casing that contains or holds the keys and allows for the extraction of one selected key by sliding it, via grooves, out of the casing.
The said system causes difficulties at the time of selecting the required key and results in problems of identifying the key; also the said mechanism requires a certain level of dexterity on the part of the user.
The applicant is also aware of the existence of key rings that contain keys on an axis that by means of pressing a button allow for the release of the key, and where the casing serves as a turning element. Nevertheless, this type of key ring is designed and used to hold only one specific key.
It should be noted, however, that the applicant is not aware of a key ring that has technical, structural or constituent similarities to the invention presented here, that is, a key ring which is able to provide solutions to the problems mentioned before.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention, via its novel system, allows the ordering of everyday use keys in a light, compact body that is comfortable, and easy, to use.
Specifically, the key ring advocated by the invention, groups the keys together on an axis inside a casing, where they remain stored and ready until use.
The user is able to select a key stored within the casing by means of pressing a, user, pre-selected, button.
The said buttons can be identified by use of different colours, alphanumerical signs, graphic signs etc. Each button is connected by a mechanical system to the key, which is then released from its folded position.
The mechanism that drives the release of the key has two distinct parts:

the automatic system of folding the key
the mechanical system of fixing and release of the key

The first part of the mechanism, that is the system of automatically folding the key, consists of an arm or extended curved piece with receptors that along with a cover and a piston, or cylindrical piece, crosses the common axis on the upper part of each key.
In this way the piston acts as an arm that supports the key and is fixed to the axis. There are enough arms/pistons within the casing as keys required, all of which are connected to the unique axis.
To allow the arm/piston to work automatically, there is an elastic or spring element, which is secured to the piston and the arm at the same time, equipping the mechanism with an automatic movement if the arm is turned over the axis changing the position forced by the spring.
The second part, the mechanical system of holding and releasing the key, constitutes the second distinct part of the key ring mechanism, this has two functions.
On the one hand to fix the previously described arm/piston in the folded position, and on the other hand to release the key in to the "use" position, that is that it causes the release from the folded position.
This system of holding and releasing, that from now on we will refer to as the track/rail, is comprised of a hammer, a rocker, a rod, a pressure spring and a displacement spring.
In this way the mechanism works thanks to a system of pressure and push.
Thus, the abovementioned rod fixes the arm/piston in the folded position by a rocker that works through a system of springs that pushes the rod against the arm/piston.
On pressing the required action button, the hammer is pushed which in turn causes the rocker to shift to the opposite side of the rod which causes a reverse movement of the rod thanks to a spring. This movement causes the arm/piston to jump from its holding position and delivers the key out of the casing.
Each one of the keys is therefore associated with a mechanism that includes an arm/piston and a rail, together, constituting a track
In this way the key ring can accommodate as many keys as there are tracks in the casing, as they are all associated with the same and unique axis.
The perfected key ring represents an innovative framework of structural characteristics and parts unknown till now. These reasons combined with its usefulness give it the possibility to obtain the exclusivity that is requested here

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To complement the description given and to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention a set of illustrative plans are provided that highlight:

Figure 1: A view, in perspective, of the perfected key ring in the folded position
Figure 2: A view in perspective of the key ring with keys extended
Figure 3: A frontal view of the arm/piston, or automatic system of folding a mounted key.
Figure 4: A frontal view of a track/rail

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION:

As can be seen from the figures and in accordance with the numbering used, an example of the perfected key ring can be seen that shows the parts indicated and described in the following.
Thus, as is shown in figures 1 and 2, the key ring invented constitutes a casing (1) that houses a number of keys (2) that are extractable by means of a number of buttons (3), each button (3) being associated with a determined key (2).
The said buttons (3) are interconnected to the key (2) by a mechanical system which releases the key from its folded position.
The above mentioned mechanism that releases the key (2) is made of two clearly differentiated parts:

1. The automatic key (2) folding system, that we have called the arm/piston
2. The mechanical system for holding hiding the key, that we have called the track/rail (4).

As can be seen from figure 3, the automatic system of folding the key or arm/piston (4) is made of a long piece (6) with a curved end that has holes and a cover (7) and a piston (8) that crosses a common axis(9), that secures the top part of each key(2).
With this method the arm/piston (4) supports the key (2) and fixes it to the axis (9). There are many pistons (4) within the casing (9) as keys that are attached to the key ring, all of these attached to the unique axis (9).
So that the arm/piston (4) is able to complete the automatic movement, on the inside there is an elastic element or a spring (10) which is attached to the piston (8) and the piece (6) at the same time, allowing the automatic movement of the mechanism if the arm/piston (4) is rotated over the axis (9) changing its position by the force of the spring (10).
Furthermore, the mechanical system of fixing and releasing the key or track/rail, that constitutes the second distinct part of the key ring has two functions:
Firstly, to fix the arm/piston (4) in the folded position, and secondly release the key (2) to the use position, that is to say to cause the arm/piston (4) to jump from the folded position.
As can be observed in figure 4, the rail (5) is comprised of an operation button (3), a hammer (11), a rocker (12), a rod (13), a pressure spring (14) and a displacement spring (15).
Thus, the above mentioned rod (13) holds the arm/piston (4) in the folded position, which allows the rocker (12), via a system of springs (14) and (15) push the rod (139 so that it can hold the arm/piston (4).
On application of pressure to the chosen button (3) the button pushes a hammer (11) that in turn puts pressure on the rocker (12) pushing it to the other side and thus applies pressure to the rod (13), which in turn causes a return movement thanks to the push of a spring (15).
This movement causes the arm/piston (4) to be released from its folded position, pushing the key to the outside of the casing (1).
Each key (2) is associated to a mechanism that includes an arm/piston (4) and a track/rail (5) which together constitutes a track/rail (16).
In this way the key ring can clearly hold as many keys (2) as there are tracks (16) within the casing (1), as they are all associated with the same unique axis (9).
Thus the nature of the invention is described sufficiently, in the manner it should be used, it is evident that it may be used in other ways by the user and this use may be different to the example given, however protection should be granted as the fundamental principles are not altered changed or modified.

Claims

IMPROVED KEY RING, of the type designed to group together a number of routine/normal use keys within a casing, in which they remain hidden and ordered compactly, being extractible by means of a mechanical device, characterized by including a framework (1) one that holds inside a number of keys (2) extractible by means of the operation of a number of buttons (3), being that each button is (3) associated to a specific key (2); in which the mechanism that drives the extraction of each key (2) by means of the operation of the button (3) associated to said key (2) includes an automatic system for folding the key, or arm-piston (4) and a mechanical system of holding and releasing the key (2) or rail (5).
IMPROVED KEY RING, according to claim 1, characterized as the working of the arm-piston (4)it is comprised of a long piece (6) with a curved end that has holes and a cover (7) and a piston (8) that crosses the (9) common axis, secures the upper part of each key (2) and fixes it to the axis (9). In the interior of the casing (1)there are as many arm-pistons (4) as keys (2) that have been connected to the key ring, and in turn connected to the axis (9); to allow the arm-piston (4) to carry out the automatic movement, arranged in its interior there is an elastic or soft element (10), secured to the piston (8) and to the piece (6) at the same time, allowing the mechanism an automatic movement if the arm-piston is rotated (4) on the axis (9) as a result of pressure from the spring (10).
IMPROVED KEY RING, according to claims1 and 2, regarding the working of the mechanical system of holding and release of the key or rail (5), a button is comprised of (3), a hammer (11), a rocker (12), a rod (13), a pressure spring(14) and a displacement spring (15); in which the rail (5) fixes the arm-piston (4) in its folded position, and releases the key to the use position (2), causing the arm-piston (4) to jump to the folded position, so that the rod (13) holds the arm-piston (4) in the fold position , as a result the rocker (12), through a system of springs, (14) and (15), pushes the rod (13) so that it holds the arm-piston (4); pressing the use button (3) chosen, pushes a hammer (11) and that in turn pressures the rocker (12) toward the opposite side to the pressure placed on the rocker (13), this causes a backward movement of the same thanks to the push of a spring (15) causing the arm-piston (4) to jump from its folded position and shoots the key (2) out of the casing (1).
IMPROVED KEY RING, according to claims 1 to 3, regarding each key, the key (2) is associated with a mechanism that includes an arm-piston (4) a rail (5), each constituting a track (16), able to have as many keys (2) as tracks(16) joined to the framework (1), being all associated to the same, and only, axis (9).
IMPROVED KEY RING , according to the claims 1 to 4, regarding the buttons of operation, use buttons, (3) each is associated with a key (2), they may, optionally, be of different colours or alphanumeric signs and/or graphics enabling better identification of each key (2).