GB2431430A

GB2431430A - Key holder with light

Info

Publication number: GB2431430A
Application number: GB0521280A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Berman
Original assignee: TOERAGS Ltd
Current assignee: TOERAGS Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-19
Filing date: 2005-10-19
Publication date: 2007-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-19
Also published as: GB2431430B; GB0521280D0

Abstract

A key holder including a light source (6) comprises a lower shell portion (1) which fits into an upper shell portion (3) with apertures (2A, 3A) of the receptive shell portions in alignment and held together by a keyring mount (4) having a portion (4B) projecting into the apertures. A flattened sidewall portion (1F) of the lower shell portion creates a gap to accommodate a spring clip (5) which fits over a reduced diameter portion (4G) of the keyring mount to hold the assembly together. The clip (5) has a novel tab portion (5T) to facilitate removal and disassembly.

Description

1 2431430

KEY HOLDER

The present invention relates to a key holder including a light source. The invention also relates to the combination of such a key holder with a key or a key blank. Such key holders are known from e.g. GB 2,080,386 A and US 6,182,484 and are useful for locating the keyhole when the key is used in the dark.

They may either employ an integral moulding of plastics material forming part of the key handle (as in GB 2,080, 386 A) or may have a relatively complex construction utilising many interconnected parts (see e.g. US 6,182,484). The latter design does have an advantage that it can be retrofitted to a conventional key, e.g. a Yale key.

An object of the present invention is to provide a key holder of relatively simple construction which can be releasably fitted to a key handle.

Accordingly the invention provides a key holder including a light source, the key holder comprising two cooperating portions mountable on opposite faces of a key handle and a keyring mount arranged in use to be releasably fitted to said cooperating portions to secure them to the key.

Preferably said cooperating portions include two mating shell portions with respective registrable apertures to which said keyring mounL is arranged in use to be relLeasably fitted.

Preferably said keyring mount comprises a barrel portion arranged to project into said registrable apertures, and further comprising a clip which can be fitted on to said barrel portion. In one embodiment the clip is a circlip which is fitted around a reduced diameter portion and is located between spaced apart sidewalls of the respective mating shell portions.

Preferably said clip comprises a tab portion which is accessible via an opening in at least one of said mating shell portions to enable the barrel portion to be unclipped and the keyring mount subsequently released.

Preferably said tab has a tool-engaging aperture or recess formed therein to enable the clip to be released with a tool.

Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a key holder and key combination in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an elevation of the clip utilised in the embodiment of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a partial cross section taken on Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the key holder comprises a Jower shell portion 1 pressed from stainless steel sheet and having a flat base on which a Yale key K rests and a generally cylindrical sidewall in which a flattened portion iF is formed. The shank of the key extends longitudinally through a cutout portion 1A extending from the upper edge of the sidewall to the base. A circular aperture 2A is formed opposite this cutout portion in flattened portion iF. A cartridge 2 carrying a forwardly Projecting LED 6 (which is longitudinally aligned with the shaft of key K) 1S received Within shell portion 1 and carries an integral push button B on its top surface.

An upper generally cylindrical shell portion 3, also pressed from stainless steel sheet, can be fitted over lower shell portion 1 and has a large circular aperture 30 in its top wall for accommodating button B, as also shown in Figure 3. A cutout portion 3Q extending from the lower edge of the sidewall to near the top wall is formed to accommodate the LED 6 and the shank of key K. Opposite this cutout portion, an aperture 3A of the same diameter as aperture 2A and alignable therewith is formed in the sidewall portion of the upper shell portion. A cutout 33 is formed immediately below aperture 3A and provides access for a screwdriver blade or a similar tool which can be used to unclip the assembly as described below.

A keyring mount 4 having a diametral aperture 4A in an external boss portion thereof includes a barrel portion 4B whose diameter is the same as the diameters of apertures 2A and 3A and is accommodated therein as best seen in Figure 3. The barrel portion 4B includes an intermediate reduced diameter portion 4G which in use is located between the spaced apart portions of the sidewalls of the shell portions 1 and 3, as best seen in Figure 3. This spacing is provided by the flattened portion iF as shown in Figure 1.

A modified circlip 5 is clipped over reduced diameter portion 4G as best seen in Figure 3 and prevents withdrawal of keyring mount 4. The clip 5 engages the reduced- diameter portion 4G of the keyring mount loosely to allow the keyring mount to rotate freely.

In order to facilitate assembling and disassembly of the key and holderkey combination shown in Figure 1, clip is provided with a tab portion 5T in which an aperture 5A 1S formed for receiving the tip of a screwdriver blade.

When the shell portions are assembled, the cutout 3B referred to above is aligned with aperture 5A and provides the necessary access for the tool.

Referring to Figure 2, the clip 5 comprises two arm portions 5B carried on waisted portions 5C of reduced thickness which resiliently engage the reduced-diameter portion 4G. The resilience provided by portions 50 enables Jo the clip to be forced downwardly to force apart the arms 5B and release the clip to allow withdrawal of the keyring mount 4. The clip 5 is suitably stamped from spring steel to provide the necessary strength and resilience.

Referring to Figure 3, the cartridge 2 which is suitably an integral moulding of flexible plastics material is shown held against the upper face of the key K by the downwardly turned inner portion of the upper shell portion 3 that defines the periphery of upper shell 3. The cartridge defines a battery compartment in which two button cells Cl and 02 are stacked, a lower terminal of cell 02 contacting a wire 12 which extends to the LED (not shown in Figure 3) and the opposite terminal of cell Cl lying immediately beneath a further wire 10 which is spaced apart therefrom by a thin insulating layer 11. A terminal portion of the wire 10 extends between the inner surface of button B and the exposed upper terminal portion of cell Cl and can be forced into contact therewith as indicated by arrow D when the button B is depressed by the user. In this manner the LED 6 is switched on until the button B is released.

It will be noted that the conventional keyring aperture KA of the keyring K is covered by the lower shell portion 1 (as is the case with known key holder designs) but the diametral aperture 4A in keyring mount 4 provides an alternative mounting for a keyring (not shown) It should be noted that a key blank could be substituted for key K and that the shell portions 1 and 3 need not be separate - for example they could be connected by a hinge. Furthermore the cutout portions 1A and 30 could be replaced by apertures.

In a less preferred embodiment the LED 6 could be replaced by an incandescent bulb.

In a further variant the cartridge 2 could be formed integrally with the upper shell portion 3.

The clip 5 is novel per se and accordingly in another aspect the invention provides a clip formed from resilient sheet material and having opposed arms with part circular inner edges arranged to clip around a cylindrical object, the clip including an intermediate tab portion having a tool-engaging portion formed therein. Preferably the tool- engaging portion is a recess or aperture which is Preferably shaped and dimensioned to receive the tip of a screwdriver blade.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A key holder including a light source, the key holder

comprising two cooperating portions mountable on Opposite faces of a key handle and a keyring mount arranged in use to be releasably fitted to said cooperating portions to secure them to the key.
2. A key holder according to claim 1 wherein said cooperating portions include two mating shell portions with respective registrab apertures to which said keyring mount is arranged in use to be releasably fitted.
3. A key holder according to claim 2 wherein said keyring mount comprises a barrel portion arranged to project into said registrabl apertures, and further comprising a clip which can be fitted onto said barrel portion.
4. A key holder according to claim 3 wherein said clip comprises a tab portion which is accessible via an opening in at least one of said mating shell portions to enable the barrel portion to be unclipped and the keyring mount subsequently released.
5. A key holder according to claim 4 wherein said tab has a tool-engaging aperture or recess formed therein to enable the Clip to be released with a tool.
6. A key holder according to any preceding claim comprising a cartridge including a power supply and light source which is arranged in use to be retained by at least one of said cooperating portions and held against one face of the key.
7. A key holder according to claim 6 wherein said cartridge comprises a battery compartment and has a switch which IS accessible via an aperture in one of said Cooperating portions.
8. A key holder according to claim 6 or claim 7 comprising a first mating shell portion having a base which is shaped and dimensioned to receive a key handle, an opening being formed in a sidewall thereof for accormnodating a shank of a key and a second mating shell portion having a sidewall fitted over the sidewall of said first mating shell portion and capable of retaining said cartridge against said key handle, and a clip on said keyring mount, said clip being disposed between spaced- apart portions of said sidewalls.
9. A key holder according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said cartridge is composed of flexible plastics material and said switch is integrally formed in a wall of said battery compartment.
10. A key holder according to any preceding claim wherein said keyring mount is rotatably mounted on said cooperating portions.
11. A key holder according to any preceding claim wherein said keyring mount comprises an external boss portion having an aperture therein for receiving a keyring.
12. A key holder according to any preceding claim wherein said light source is an LED.
13. A key holder substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
14. A key holder as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a key or a key blank.
15. A light and key combination substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
16. A clip formed from resilient sheet material and having Opposed arms with part circular inner edges arranged to Clip around a Cylindrical object, the Clip including an intermediate tab portion having a toolengaging portion formed therein.
17. A clip according to claim 16 wherein the tool-engaging portion is a recess or aperture which is Preferably shaped and dimensioned to receive the tip of a screwdriver blade.