JPH02142516A - Combination article with key and key-holder together - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable a spare key, etc., to be carried with a purse, by equipping a key made of plastic, flat and rectangular card main body, a snap means to detachable fix the key repeatedly to the card main body. CONSTITUTION: An integrated article 10 of a spare key and a card is preferably equipped with a card main body 12 placed around two spare keys 14, 16 and a repeatedly attachable/detachable snap means 28 is formed on each card main body of keys 14, 16. The snap means 28 is equipped with a fixing means 38 comprising a first shelf 30 of a first face of the card main body 12 and a second shelf 34 of a second face 36 of key 14 or 16. The fixing means 38 is equipped with an extensible male member 40 formed on the shelf 30 or 34 and a female part 48 penetrating a shelf 34 or 30 and having dimensions to accept the male member 40 being compressed. The key is placed to engage the fixing means, especially to face the shelves 30, 34, and the key 14 or 16 is pushed into the main body 12 to be fixed on the card main body 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Industrial Application Field" The present invention relates to a key and key chain combination comprising a credit card-like card body and a plastic spare or duplicate key built into the body. Regarding.

``Prior Art'' Keys used to lock the doors of cars and homes are easily misplaced or damaged. It is possible to carry a spare or duplicate key, but such carrying is often a feat, and the weight of the keys makes it rare to carry a complete set of spare keys on the keychain, and these keys are often placed in relation to each other. The inconvenience is that it is bulky. Additionally, traditional wallets often do not provide a suitable space or pocket for storing a spare key. As a result, traditional spare keys that are loosely placed in a wallet can easily move and be lost. Therefore, the original purpose of carrying a spare key is lost, and precautions against those who carry a spare key become irrelevant.

Combinations comprising at least one key and a card member for holding these keys are known. For example, U.S. Pat.
, 637,236 (equivalent to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-201115) shows a key built into the card and either slidably or permanently attached to the card. The card has a key attached to it by a hinge, or a keyway inserted into a socket extending inward from the end of the card.

``Problem to be Solved by the Invention'' Although such a combination achieves the initial objective to some extent, it has several drawbacks. First, there is no provision for reattachment of the key to the card if the hinge is damaged. Second, the key and socket cannot easily be molded in one piece due to the need for a tongue and groove sliding connection. Rather, the key must be molded separately from the card, which increases manufacturing costs.

"Means for Solving the Problem" The present invention solves the above problem by providing a combination of a key and a key holder that includes a snap means for removably fixing the key to a card so that the spare key can be easily carried in a wallet or the like. overcomes the shortcomings of In summary, the key and key holder combination of the present invention comprises a credit card sized card body surrounding all sides of one or more keys, and snap means for snap-repeatedly reattaching each key to the card body. We are prepared. The keys are initially held to the card body by frangible means such as bridges extending between each key end and the card end.

The key and card combination of the present invention can be advantageously manufactured by a variety of known plastic forming methods, such as injection molding, stamping, or pressing. Preferably, the card and key are integrally molded from a plastic material, with the key portion being formed by a plastic head and a steel foot.

The key and key chain combination of the present invention is primarily intended for use in emergencies, such as when a user has misplaced a key that they usually use, but the spare key and card of the present invention sacrifices the convenience of carrying. Repeated use of keys can be advantageously provided without having to do so. When the key is removed from the card body by tearing off the frangible bridge, the key is snapped back onto the card body by the snap means. For example, this snapping means, when mutually overlapping,
It includes a post or stud on the card body that can be removably snapped into a locked position and an opening in the key.

Various types of keys, such as flat keys, notched keys,
A grooved key or a combination thereof can be molded into the card. Preferably, the card body is such that the key is held to the card by frangible means, but with sufficient space to allow the key to be cut or torn off the notch around the key leg in a manner similar to conventional keys. There is. In addition to its easy carrying and retention characteristics, the key and card combination of the present invention is inexpensive to manufacture and transport. In addition, the key can, if there is enough space, e.g. a card containing two pre-duplicated door keys and two
Instead of a separate card containing individual replicated door keys, each card may be loaded with copies of the front and rear doors. The present invention is useful for keys such as keys in automobile key cabinets, keys in cases or containers, or any type of key that is compatible with snap attachment to a card body.

"Example" The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2, a preferred embodiment spare key and card combination 10 according to the present invention is shown. This combination comprises a card body 12 arranged around at least one, preferably two spare keys 14 and 16. Each spare key has a key foot 15 or 17 and a key head 19 or 21. Preferably, the keys 14 and 16 have a thickness that is thinner than or equal to the thickness of the card body 12 for ease of use, eg, easy insertion into a wallet.

This card body 12 is formed with a hole 13 for attaching the combination 10 to a conventional key chain, key ring, or the like. However, since the key and card combination 10 can be inserted into a billfold, wallet, etc., such attachment is optional. Such an arrangement is facilitated by the fact that the card body 12 is proportionate to, and preferably closely resembles, a conventional credit card.

The keys 14 and 16 are configured as factory-standard key pranks that are cut or notched and are inserted into a conventional lock for operation. For example, these keys 14 and 16 include grooves or channels 20 that are identical to the various grooves or channels on the keys that are suitably or originally fitted to the associated keyholes. Preferably keys 14 and 16 are made as key blanks, although in some circumstances the operating notches in other parts of the leg may be partially or fully formed during molding of assembly 10. .

Each of keys 14 and 16 includes a portion forming a key end 22 . Similarly, the card body 12 has a key end 22
It includes a facing portion forming an inner card end 24 which is normally disposed about the card end 24 . These keys 14 and 16 are preferably held on the card body 12 by fragile attachment means that are easily damaged during molding, and may, of course, be formed separately from the card body 12. Preferably, this frangible means includes at least one, preferably two extended laterally facing notched bridges 26, which relay the keys 14 and 16 to the card end 24.

Separation or destruction of these bridges separates keys 14 and 16 from card body 12.

Of course, snap means 28 are formed that allow each of the keys 14 and 16 to be repeatedly attached and detached from the card body 12. This snap means 28 first snaps into the first shelf 30 on the first surface 32 of the card body 12 as shown in FIG. A removable fixing means 38 consisting of a machine 34 is provided.

The fixing means 38 includes a telescopic male member 40 formed on the shelf 30 or 34, and a female portion 48 having dimensions to receive the male member 40 while compressing it and passing through the shelf 34 or 30.
It is preferable to have the following.

The male member 40 includes a flared head 46 with a stud 42 having a vertical longitudinal slot 44 on the card shelf 30, for example, as best seen in FIG. The female portion 48 also provides a hole 50 for passing through the second key 34 of the key 14 or 16. This hole 50 preferably includes a conical end 52 that acts as a ramp end to facilitate insertion of the male member 40 into the female portion 48, and the lower floor conical end 52 opposite the second machine 34 is connected to the first shelf. The abutment with the flared head 46 of 30 serves to firmly hold the key 14 or 6 on the card body.

Use of the key and card combination 10 of the present invention is straightforward. The initial position of the key 14 or 16 relative to the card body 12 is indicated by a dashed line 54 in FIG. The keys 14 and/or 16 may be pressed, pulled or rotated to damage the bridge 26 or other attachment means and remove the card body 1.
It has been removed from 2. A notch corresponding to the particular keyhole associated with the key is then cut into the key leg 15 or 17, if not previously formed. Thereafter, the key is activated by locking the locking means 38, in particular positioning the shelves 30 and 34 oppositely, aligning the female portion 48 with the telescoping male member 40, and pushing the key 14 or 16 into the body 12. It is fixed to the card body 12 by.

If it is desired to use the key 14 or 16 to release the lock, simply push the key 14 or 16 from the front or back of the card, causing the halves of the stud 42 to compress together (hole 500). The conical end 52 extends from the flared head 4 of the stud 42.
6, the key 14 or 16 is removed from the card body 12 (with the slot 44 forming a space for compression of the stud 42). These release keys are then used to unlock and return to the card by reversing the above procedure.

The position of the key 14 or 16 on the card body 12 is shown in FIG. 4 when held by the repeatable fastening means 38. Preferably, a gap 55 is formed between the key end 24 and the inner card end 24. This gap 55
If the entire circumference of the inner card end 24 cannot pass through the inner circumference of the card body 12, that is, if a catch (not shown) or a card part cannot be formed under the key 14 or 16, the key Provides a space into which a fingernail can be inserted in order to lift 14 or 16. Of course, this gap 55 also provides space to form a frangible means of initially connecting keys 14 and 16 to card body 12.

A second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5 and includes a key and card combination 56.

This combination 56 includes a card body 58 and a set of key blanks 60 and 62 arranged alternately.

These key blanks 60 and 62 correspond to keys 14 and 16.
Similarly, key legs 64 and 66 are provided. There is a set of keys in the card body 58 around these key legs 64 and 66 that provides sufficient space to notch or cut a duplication groove in situ without removing the key blanks 60 and 62 from the card body 58. spaces 68 and 70 are formed.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The key and carrying card combination of the present invention is readily made from a variety of materials, although most preferably the key and card combination is made from a plastic material. This composite is made from brass by many conventional brass molding means including stamping or compression molding. Most preferably, however, the key and card combination is unitarily molded as a single piece in one piece by brass injection molding. This offers the combined benefits of a lightweight product, a reasonably strong product, and a product that is fairly inexpensive to manufacture. Of course, other materials such as metal can also be used for the key or card body, or for parts of the key or card body. In fact, the snap means 28 is formed in part as a piece of plastic that attaches to a conventional spare metal key, obviating the need to form different card bodies for different types of keys. This piece only needs to be varied to accommodate different key heads and fits.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a
Figure 4 is a partial front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention detailing the card body and key areas, and Figure 5 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 10...Key and card combination, 12...Card body, 14.16...Key 20...Legs, 28...
- Snap means, 40... male member, 48... female part.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. At least one plastic key, a flat rectangular card body disposed around the keys and having the same thickness as the keys, and a card body in which the key is placed. A combination of a key and a key holder, which is equipped with snap means for repeatedly attaching and detaching the key. 2. The card body includes a card surface, the key includes a key surface, and the snap means includes a first shelf formed on the card surface, a second shelf formed on the key surface, and a second shelf formed on the key surface. Claims comprising a male member formed on one shelf or a second shelf, and a female part formed on the second shelf or first shelf and dimensioned to be repeatedly received by the male member. The joint thing described in paragraph 1. 3. the key includes a key end, the card body includes an internal card end disposed around the key end, and frangible means are formed on the internal card end for relaying the key end;
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said at least one key is removably held on said card. 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said frangible means comprises at least one notched bridge connecting said key end and inner card end. 5. The combination according to claim 3, wherein the key end is arranged between the head and leg of the key. 6. A combination according to claim 4, wherein said frangible means comprises a set of said bridges disposed facing each other on each side of said key. 7. The combination of the key and key holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the combination of the key and the key holder is integrally molded into a single piece. 8. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the combination of key and key holder is made of plastic. 9. The combination of the key and the key holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the combination of the key and the key holder is integrally molded from plastic. 10. The combination of claim 2, wherein said male member is provided with a slot vertically divided into two halves for receiving said female portion. 11. The combination article according to claim 10, wherein the female part is provided with an opening sized to telescopically receive the half part. 12. The male member includes an outwardly flared head, and the female portion includes an inverted conical slope to facilitate engaging and retaining the female portion on the male member. A combination of the key and key chain described in item 2. 13. The snap means includes a telescopic member formed on the key or the card body, and a means formed on the main body or the key and holding the telescopic member. joint thing. 14. The combination according to claim 4, wherein the combination has two keys. 15. The card body is provided with an opening located at a distance from the key leg sufficient to allow the notch in the leg to be severed when the key is secured to the card body. The joint thing described in paragraph 1. 16, wherein the key includes a key leg, and the inner card end is spaced from the key leg a sufficient distance to allow a notch in the leg to be cut when the key is secured to the card body. A combined product according to claim 3. 17. At least one key including a key surface, a key shelf formed on the key surface, and a key end laterally surrounding the key surface, arranged around these keys and having the same thickness as the key. a flat rectangular card body including a card surface, a card shelf formed on the card surface, and an internal card end disposed around the key end; a frangible means for connecting the key end portions and thus removably holding the key on the card; a telescoping stud formed on a surface; and a female portion formed on the card surface or key surface and forming an opening sized to telescopically receive the stud, when the stud is received in the opening. . A combination of a key and a key holder, the key and the card being integrally molded from a plastic material.