GB2308806A - Device for securing objects on a ring - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for securing objects comprises, a ring having a gap 12 and a closing mechanism spanning a chord of the ring and having first and second guide tubes 132,134 for respectively receiving first and second sections of the ring, with the first guide tube 134 having a length greater than the length of the gap, a stop 156, means 154 coupled to the stop for biasing the stop into the gap when the gap is aligned with the guide tube 134, a sliding latch 136, slidably positioned on a surface of the closing mechanism and coupled to the stop, for releasing the stop, whereby the closing mechanism is free to travel around the circumference of the ring. The closing mechanism splits the interior of the ring into two portions for separating objects secured on the ring.

Description

DEVICE FOR SECURING OBJECTS ON A RING The present invention relates to a mechanism for closing a ring such as a key ring or jewellery clasp.

This application is divided from Application No. 9520774.2 (Publication No. 2291339) which discloses and claims a device for securing objects and a method of securing an object.

Many types of ring securing devices are presently in existence. For example, one common ring securing device is the split key ring onto which keys are threaded. The split key ring reliably secures keys; however, the keys are difficult to thread on and off the ring and injury to the fingernails frequently results.

Various other mechanisms for securing objects on a retaining ring have therefore been developed. These devices typically include some form of bulky clasp which may be difficult to place in a confined space such as a pocket. Furthermore, these devices can be difficult to manipulate or may not reliably secure the object on the ring.

The present invention provides a mechanism for opening and closing a ring securing device and for effectively storing objects on a ring.

The present invention provides a device for securing objects, comprising: a ring having a gap therein; and a closing mechanism spanning a chord of said ring, and having: first and second guide tubes for respectively receiving first and second sections of said ring, wherein said first guide tube has a length greater than the length of said gap; a stop; means, coupled to said stop, for biasing said stop into said first guide tube when said first guide tube is aligned with said gap; a sliding latch, slidably positioned on a surface of said closing mechanism and coupled to said stop, for releasing said stop, whereby said closing mechanism is free to travel around the circumference of said ring; wherein said closing mechanism splits the interior of said ring into two portions including a first portion and a second portion for separating objects secured on said ring.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A is a perspective view of a ring securing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1B is a side end view of the ring securing device of Figure lA; Figure 1C is a view of the ring securing device of Figures 1A and 1B in the open position; Figure 2A is a front view of a closing device for the ring of Figures 1A to lC; Figure 2B is an end view of the closing device of Figure 2A; Figure 2C is an end view of a stop assembly which is in use contained within a closing device of Figures 2A and 2B; Figure 2D is a side view of the stop assembly of Figure 2C; Figure 2E is a top view of the closing device of Figures 2A and 2B; Figure 2F is an exploded view of a preferred closing device biasing means; Figure 3A is a top view of a ring securing device in the closed position according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3B is a top view of the ring securing device of Figure 3A in the open position; Figure 4A is a view showing the construction of the back piece of the closing device of Figures 3A and 3B; Figure 4B is a view showing the construction of the front piece of the closing device of Figures 3A and 3B; Figure 5A is a side view of the latch assembly of the closing device of Figures 3A and 3B; Figure 5B is an end view of the latch assembly of the closing device of Figures 3A and 3B; Figure 5C is a top view of the stop assembly of the closing device of Figures 3A and 3B; and Figure 5D is a sectional view of the stop assembly of the closing device of Figures 3A and 3B.

Figures 1A to 1C show a ring securing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Throughout the drawings, a key ring is shown. However, the invention is not limited to key rings and is applicable to any device in which a ring is used as a retaining/securing element.

The device of Figures 1A to 1C includes a ring 10 as a securing element. Ring 10 does not form a closed ring, but instead includes a gap 12. During normal use, a gap 12 is closed by a closing device 14 to prevent objects retained on ring 10 from slipping off ring 10.

Closing device 14 is pivotally connected to ring 10 such that during normal use, closing device 14 can pivot through an arc 16 about a centerline axis 17 of ring 10. Thus, the entire ring securing device can be carried easily in a compact space such as a pocket without undesired bulk. When closed, closing device 14 cannot, however, normally move around the circumference of ring 10 in the direction shown by arrow 18.

To add or remove keys from ring 10, a button tab 32 is pushed in the direction of arrow 22. A button 20 may rotate about the vertical axis in the direction of arrow 21. The device is thus less rigid and is better able to be folded or manoeuvred into a confined space. Button 20 may optionally include a loop 24 for attaching a tag, an insignia, an additional key ring or another exterior device 26. Depressing button tab 32 releases closing device 14 so that it is permitted to slide around the circumference of ring 10. As shown in Figure 1C this action exposes gap 12 so keys can be added or removed from ring 10.

When closing device 14 returns to the closed position, the locking mechanism automatically snaps back into place to retain closing device 14 in the closed, or locked, position.

Figures 2A to 2F are drawings showing the component pieces of closing device 14 in greater detail. Figure 2A is a front view of closing device 14. Closing device 14 may be fabricated from two cast pieces joined together by one or more rivets.

Optionally, closing device 14 may be formed from a single cast piece. Closing device 14 includes a guide tube 27 through which ring 10 passes. Guide tube 27 allows ring 10 to pass freely through the closing device 14 without the edges of ring 10 near gap 12 getting caught or hung up. Guide tube 27 therefore serves as a guide for ring 10 and ensures ease of operation.

Intersecting with guide tube 27 is an end hole 28. Figure 2B is an end view of closing device 14 showing the details of end hole 28. Two guide slots 29A and 29B are located adjacent end hole 28. A stop 30 fits into end hole 28 and is guided along by projections 31A and 31B which mate with slots 29A and 29B of closing device 14. Button tab 32 is attached to stop 30 via a spar 33. A side view of the stop assembly of Figure 2C is shown in Figure 2D. The button tab 32 mates with recesses 34A and 34B of closing device 14 shown in Figure 2B. Spar 33 is located in region 36 of Figure 2B. Figure 2E is a top view of device 14 showing the locations of the guide slots and recesses for the stop assembly of Figure 2C.

As shown in Figure 2C, stop 30 contains a receptacle 40 for receiving the end piece assembly that contains button 20. Figure 2F shows the construction of the end piece assembly in detail.

The end piece assembly also includes a spring 45 to serve as a biasing means for stop 30.

In operation, the stop assembly of Figure 2C is mated with the end piece assembly of Figure 2F. The resulting structure is inserted into closing device 14 such that stop 30 rests in gap 12 located at the intersection of end hole 28 and guide tube 27 of Figure 2A. Projections 31A and 31B maintain stop 30 in position when the ring securing device is closed. Otherwise, ring 10 might slide on closing device 14 and open enough of a gap for a key to fall off ring 10. The ring securing device is thus closed, and the closing mechanism cannot travel along the circumference of ring 10. To open ring 10, the user depresses button tab 32 to release the biasing force on stop 30. The stop assembly can then slide down end hole 28 and away from guide tube 27. Ring 10 can then freely pass through guide tube 27 until gap 12 is exposed.

The mechanism of Figures 2A to 2F may be simply and economically assembled. The stop assembly of Figure 2C is simply inserted through end hole 28 followed by the end piece assembly with optional exterior device 26. Collar segments 39 can then be crimped to complete the assembly.

Figures 3A to 3B show an alternate embodiment of a ring securing device according to the present invention.

The embodiment of Figure 3 also contains a ring 10 having a gap 12. Figure 3A shows the device secured in the closed position by a ring closing device 130. Closing device 130 spans chord AB of ring 10 and includes two guide tubes 132 and 134 through which ring 10 passes. Diving the circle of ring 10 into two sections for retaining keys allows separation of one or more keys from others so that the keys most often used are easier to locate. Also, the separation allows collection of keys in one compartment and then allows attachment of ring 10 to another object by the second compartment. This allows attachment of ring 10 to a belt loop, for example, by one compartment and retains keys in the second compartment. Closing device 130 is held in the closed position by a spring biased stop (not shown in Figure 3A). Thus, during normal use, closing device 130 remains in position and the objects retained on ring 10 remain securely on ring 10.

To open the securing device, the user moves a latch 135 in the direction of arrow 138 to release closing device 130.

Closing device 130 may then be slid along ring 10 in either direction 140 or 141 as shown in Figure 3B. Sliding closing device 130 exposes gap 12 and enables objects to be slid on and off ring 10.

Figures 4A and 4B show the construction of closing device 130 in greater detail. Closing device 130 is shown as cast in two pieces 150 and 152. Piece 152 of closing device 130 shown in Figure 4B includes a spring 154 attached to a stop 156. When the device is in the closed position, stop 156 extends into guide tube 134 and occupies gap 12. In this position, stop 156 prevents closing device 130 from travelling about the circumference of ring 10. Latch 136 contains a tongue 137 which mates with recess 135 of stop 156. When latch 136 is moved in the direction of arrow 138, spring 154, which is secured to latch 136 via projection 159, moves in the direction of arrow 158.

Stop 156 no longer resides within guide tube 134 or gap 12.

Closing device 130 is thus free to rotate about ring 10. Figures 5A to SD show the details of the latch/stop assembly described above.

Closing device 130 may be constructed for easy assembly.

Piece 150 contains a projection 165 which is received in recess 166 of matching piece 152. Similarly, piece 150 contains projections 167 and 168 for receipt into corresponding recesses of piece 152. Pieces 150, 152 are crimped together. Thus, the part may be easily assembled without complex machinery or skilled labour.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described.

Variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For these reasons, the invention should be construed in light of the claims.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS;

   1. A device for securing objects, comprising: a ring having a gap therein; and a closing mechanism spanning a chord of said ring, and having: first and second guide tubes for respectively receiving first and second sections of said ring, wherein said first guide tube has a length greater than the length of said gap; a stop; means, coupled to said stop, for biasing said stop into said first guide tube when said first guide tube is aligned with said gap; a sliding latch, slidably positioned on a surface of said closing mechanism and coupled to said stop, for releasing said stop, whereby said closing mechanism is free to travel around the circumference of said ring; wherein said closing mechanism splits the interior of said ring into two portions including a first portion and a second portion for separating objects secured on said ring.