US1110873A - Key-ring. - Google Patents

Description

KEYRING.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV 7 1913.

Patented Sept. 15, 19M.

' proved key-ring;

' TED STATES harm? JAMES H. BOYE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE BOYE NEEDLE COMPANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

KEY-nine.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented Sept. in, mm.

Application filed November 7, 1913. Serial No. 799,698.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMEs H. Born, a cit izen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Key-Rings, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention comprises an improved key-ring; and the primary object of the invention is to provide a key-ring which operates in an improved manner and which can be manufactured at moderate cost.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 represents a plan view of the im- Fig. 2, a side edge view of the same; Fig. 3, an end edge view of the same; Fi 4, a broken plan view showing a modification; Fig. 5, an end edge View of the construction-shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6. a broken view taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 4E.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the mproved key-ring is shown as comprising a shank 1 and a ring or annulus 2.

The device may be advantageously formed from a strip of metal, or flat wire, being thus of integral formation. In such case, the shank 1 issplit or provided with branches which are oppositely curved to form complemental semi-circular members with overlapping ends, the extremities being indicated at 3 and 3 The shank 1 is preferabl itself to provide a hook 4:, which may serve both as a handle, and as a means ofsecuring the key-ring to a belt, or to the hem of a pocket." At the free extremity or edge of the annulus 2, that is, at the edge opposite the point of junction with the shank 1, the outer edge portions of the curved branches 2* and 2 are struck away from each other, as indicated at the points 5, 5, thus afiording a recess or mouth 6 with beveled walls. The the key tions 2 and 2 apart, thus enabling the key to be readily entered on the ring. Each of the ring- sections 2 and 2 is odset, as indicated at 7, thus affording a recess 8 at the point where the key must be entered between the ring-sections when it is desired to remove the key from the ring.

folded upon- The operationof applying the key to the mug is very easily effected by inserting the head of the key in the mouth 6, thus separating the ringsections, after which the-key may be slipped over the extremity of one of the ring-sections in the usual way. In removing the key, the key may be entered at the recess 8 and the ring-sections may be forcibly separated, the shank and hook of the device serving as a handle to enable the keyring to be readily held during this operation. As will be noted the free ends or extremities of the annulus 2 extend but a short distance beyond each other,

the ring or their removal therefrom. Thus it is possible to separate a large bunch of keys on the ring and remove a middle .key therefrom with facility by holding the hook portion of the device between the thumb and middle finger. The index finger may be used to separate the curved ends of the annulus, thus aiding in removing or inserting keys. In the modification shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6,-1 represents the shank of the de vice; and 2 and 2 represent the curved branches or ring-sections. The construction is similar to that already described, except that each ring-section is struck or bowed outwardly, that is, away from the plane of the annulus, as indicated at 9, and the extremity of each ring-section 15 preferably curved outwardl slightly, as indicated at 10. The extremity o each Icing-section also preferably partially overlies the recess 11 formed by bowing the companion ring-section, as indicated at 9. Thus it will be understood that there are provided at the points 11 distinct orifices which enable the key-head to be readily entered to force the ring-section apart in the operation of removing the key from the ring. Obviously, the ring or annulus shown in Fig. 4 may be duplicated at the opposite end oft-he shank 1* if a double key-ring be desired.

The improved key-ring possesses numerous advantages in use. For instance, the shank being rigidly connected to the ring enables the ring to be held in a horizontal position while the shank serves as a handle, thus allowing the keys to distribute themselves, so that a desired key may be readily selected. Again, the device may be readily attached to a belt; or it may be introduced into a pocket with the hook engaging the v which construction greatly facilitates the insertion of keys on flap or hem of the pocket, while the keys are allowed to distribute themselves in the pocket, instead of fallin in a mass to the bottom of the pocket. Tie device is preferably formed integrally of a flat strip of ma terial possessing the desired springiness or resilience. Any suitable material may be used, however.

The foregomg detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no undue limitation should be 1111- derstood therefrom.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A key-ring comprising. a member having a shank and-oppositely curved branches ex- "edge-portions separated at an overlapping pointafiording a mouth enabling a key to be introduced, and each ring-section being offset to aflord a recess adjacent the extremity of the companion ring-section.

JAMES H. BOYE.

Ii -presence of- L. HEISLAR, A. J. FLOYD.

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