EP1785054B1 - Retractable key-holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a concealable key ring, including: a carrying plate with two side walls, at least one key ring axle mounted transversely between the two side walls, where the key ring axle has at least one slot made axially on the surface of the axle, a positioning pin having a body and two ends, the body of the positioning pin is partially mounted in the slot with the body partially extruding beyond the slot and the two ends of the positioning pin are fixed on the two side walls, and multiple keys each having a head with a transverse hole in the head where the perimeter of the hole has at least one groove made transversely through the head.

Description

The object of the invention is a keychain.

A keychain according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from the document EP-A-1,327,397 .

A problem common to all keychains is their impractical side because of the considerable volume occupied by the keys. These problems are increased if the amount of keys is considerable (the conciergerie of large residences, schools, public institutions, or others).

Other problems added and collateral are the damage that the keys (different from those used) produce on the same key-ring on the doors and their frames, the excessive weight and the volume of the set, besides the noise and the genes for the user (tearing of the pockets).

The object of the present invention is to avoid all these problems.

It is a foldable key ring that accepts a large number of keys occupying the same space and which arranges them so as to unfold only that necessary, the others remaining folded inside a support without exceeding .

The unfolding of the single key to be used forms an angle (α) with respect to the assembly and the arrangement is always rigid so that during the use of a key, the others and the key ring remain away from the door to avoid any friction.

In addition, the maximum dimension of the head of each key is equal to or less than the height of the side walls of the support and the maximum dimension of the head of each key corresponds to the width of the bit. This dual condition can significantly reduce the size of the keychain.

The foldable key holder is characterized according to the invention in that it has a support which defines at least the two side walls between which is mounted a key-holder shaft for receiving the keys with the possibility of rotation and a stud for positioning these keys in an intermediate angular position acting with a notch corresponding to the head of each key.

The maximum dimension of the head of each key is equal to or less than the height of the side walls of the support and almost identical to the width of the bit.

Said stud is made of flexible plastic to facilitate its housing or its extraction in the notches of the corresponding keys.

• qu'il y ait un ou plusieurs axes porte-clefs.
• que les clefs soient placées toutes dans le même sens ou pas.
• que sur chaque clef soient formées une ou plusieurs encoches de manière à atteindre une ou plusieurs positions dépliées avec un seul angle (α) ou plusieurs angles différents entre la clef dépliée et l'ensemble.
• que chaque support comporte des moyens additionnels, magnétiques ou mécaniques pour y mettre entre eux plusieurs supports ou pour placer le support à un endroit fixe (une armoire à clefs par exemple).

The object of the present invention includes any particular embodiment or other that does not alter or modify the essence of the proposal and in particular:

• there is one or more key-rings.
• that the keys are placed all in the same direction or not.
• that on each key are formed one or more notches so as to reach one or more unfolded positions with a single angle (α) or several different angles between the unfolded key and the assembly.
• each support has additional means, magnetic or mechanical to put between them several supports or to place the support at a fixed location (a key cabinet for example).

• le goujon et les parties correspondant aux encoches - un, l'autre ou les deux- , sont d'une matière souple déformable.
• les parois latérales du support sont solidaires ou pas entre elles par une base.
• la mortaise qui loge le goujon est formée sur l'axe ou sur cette base (dessinant ainsi les encoches dans des zones correspondant à la clef).

The object of the present invention also includes any accessory, constructive or design modification which does not alter the essence of the proposal and in particular:

• the stud and the parts corresponding to the notches - one or the other - are of a deformable flexible material.
• the lateral walls of the support are integral or not between them by a base.
• the mortise which houses the stud is formed on the axis or on this base (thus drawing the notches in areas corresponding to the key).

• La figure 1 représente une projection verticale générale d'un porte-clefs pliable selon l'invention avec une clef (4) dépliée et les autres pliées.
• La figure 2 représente une projection horizontale correspondant à la figure précédente.
• La figure 3 représente une section selon l'indication A.A de la figure 2.

To better understand the object of the present invention, a chosen form of practical realization has been shown on the plans, susceptible of incidental changes that will not change its foundation.

• The figure 1 represents a general vertical projection of a foldable key ring according to the invention with a key (4) unfolded and the other folded.
• The figure 2 represents a horizontal projection corresponding to the previous figure.
• The figure 3 represents a section according to the indication AA of the figure 2 .

In these figures, the stud (3) is provided with a mortise formed in the axis (2) and the keys (4) form the notches (41) in the perimeter of the orifice (40).

The Figures 4, 5 and 6 represent respectively views equivalent to Figures 1, 2 and 3 previous; for an alternative embodiment where the side walls (12) of the support (1) are integral with each other by a base (11) and where the stud (3) is housed in a transverse mortise formed in this base (11). The keys (4) form the notches (41) on the outer perimeter of their head.

The figure 7 represents a view similar to the figure 4 with all the keys folded and for an alternative embodiment provided with a cover (7) and means (7) to adapt to other supports (1) or a fixed location.

An exemplary non-limiting practical embodiment of the present invention is described below.

The object of the present invention is a foldable key holder which is essentially provided with a support (1), keys (4) and means for placing the keys (4) on the support (1) with the possibility of rotation - reaching a folded position and other unfolded positions - and to place / hold these keys (4) in at least one of these positions.

• un cache (7) qui dissimule les clefs (4) en position pliée ; et/ou
• des moyens (5) pour s'adapter à d'autres supports (1) contigus pour disposer ces supports (1) sur une base ; et/ou
• des moyens (anneau ou orifice) pour fixer le support (1) à un mousqueton par exemple.

In addition, the foldable key holder object of the present invention can have the following elements:

• a cover (7) which conceals the keys (4) in the folded position; and or
• means (5) for adapting to other adjacent supports (1) for disposing said supports (1) on a base; and or
• means (ring or orifice) for fixing the support (1) to a carabiner for example.

According to the invention and according to the embodiment shown - see Figures 1 and 2 - The support (1) defines the two side walls (12) where is mounted a key-holder shaft (2) for receiving the keys (4) with the possibility of rotation; the head of these keys (4) have for this a hole (40), part where is housed the axis (2).

A positioning pin (3) is also mounted on these walls (12). There is a locating pin (3) for each keyway (2).

For the embodiment shown on the Figures 1 to 3 , the stud (3) is placed in a generating groove formed in the axis (2) and the notches (41) are formed on the perimeter of the orifice (40) of the head of the keys (4).

For the embodiment shown on the Figures 4 to 6 , the support (1) further defines a base (11) which connects the side walls (12) to one of the sides, the keys (4) are thus limited in their rotation between two extreme positions offset from each other by 180 °.

In this embodiment, the stud (3) is placed in a transverse mortise formed in this base (11) and the notches (41) are formed on the outer perimeter of the head of the key (4).

In both embodiments, the stud (3) is of a deformable elastic material (rubber or the like) and is oversized relative to the mortise. This oversize is that reached by a notch (41) of the key (4), it lodges therein and holds it in this precise and determined angular position.

Alternatively, and without altering the essence of the model, the stud (3) and the corresponding mortise are of a rigid material, the area of the contour of the key (4) where the notches (41) are formed being flexible .

In the embodiments, as a function of the angular position of the notch (41), there will be a different angle (α) that forms the key (4) unfolded relative to the support (1) and to the other keys (4) folded .

Preferably, one of the notches (41) is formed so that the unfolded key (4) forms an angle α = 90 °, although notches (41) may be formed on any area of the perimeter of the head of the key (4) so that the unfolded key (4) forms an angle (α) with respect to the support (1) and the other keys (4) folded. On the figures 3 and 6 three notches (41) have been offset by 90 °.

Of course, the key-shaft (2) or each key-ring (2) existing is removable from the support (1) to be able to put or remove keys (4) of the key holder (1).

On the foldable key ring according to the invention, the maximum dimension (D) of the head of each key (4) is equal to or less than the height (h) of the side walls (11) of the support (1) and almost identical. to the width of the bit. The keys (4) fulfilling this dual function, the size of the key ring is considerably reduced as a whole.

The collapsible key holder object of the present invention also allows the installation of a cover (7) which conceals the keys (4) once folded in the support (1).

This cover (7) is placed for example on a second axis (6) with the possibility of rotation between two open / closed positions - see figure 7 -.

Each support (1) is also provided with means (5) to adapt to other contiguous (1) having for example magnets on the outside of one of the walls (12) - or to adapt these supports ( 1) at a fixed location (a flat metal panel for example) - for example having magnets outside the base (11).

The foldable key holder, object of the present invention, also allows to include other means such as holes or rings to attach to a karabiner for example or hang it on a key cabinet as a holder. conventional keys.

Claims (10)

1. . Retractable key rack, which consists of a bracket (1), which defines, at least, each of the side walls (12) between which at least one key rack shaft (2)is mounted on which the keys (4) are placed, with the possibility of turning, characterized because between the two side walls (12) at least one positioning pin (3) for said keys(4) is likewise mounted in, at least, one intermediate angular position acting in cooperation with at least, one slot (41) shaped in conjunction, on the head of each key (4).
2. . Retractable key rack, according to aforementioned claim, characterized because the maximum dimension (D) of the head of each key (4) is equal to or less than the height (h) of the side walls (11) of the bracket (1) and very similar to the width of its bit.
3. . Retractable key rack, according to aforementioned claim, characterized because said pin (3) is made of deformable elastic material to facilitate its lodging or extraction in the appropriate slots (41) of the keys(4).
4. . Retractable key rack, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized because said pin (3) is made of rigid material and the contour zone of the key (4) where the slots are shaped(41) is made of deformable elastic material to facilitate lodging or extraction of the pin (3) in the appropriate slots (41) of the key (4).
5. . Retractable key rack, according to aforementioned claims, characterized because:

   a) said key rack shaft (2) forms a generating opening on which the pin(3)is housed, supersized with respect to it;

   b) said slots (41) are shaped in the perimeter of the aperture (40) defined in the key heads (4).
6. . Retractable key rack, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized because said side walls (12) of the bracket (1) are interrelated by a base (11) which forms a transversal opening which houses the pin (3) supersized with respect to it; and said slots (41) are shaped in the exterior perimeter of the key heads (4).
7. . Retractable key rack, according to claim 6, characterized because, additionally, the bracket (1) has a second shaft (6) in the end zone of its side walls 11); on said shaft (6) a lid (7) tips, hiding the keys (4) from view in its retracted position.
8. . Retractable key rack, according to aforementioned claims, characterized because, additionally, each bracket (1) includes means(5) for fastening alongside another bracket or other contiguous brackets (1) or to attach said brackets (1) to a fixed location.
9. . Retractable key rack, according to claim 8, characterized because, specifically, said means(5) are magnets, placed on the base (11) and/or in, at least, one of said side walls (12).
10. . Retractable key rack, according to claims 1 to 7, characterized because, additionally, each bracket (1) includes means, (ring or hole) to fasten it, for example, to a snap-hook.

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