US1858963A - Key case - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1932. c. J. MENSMAN KEY CASE Filed Sept. 18, 1950 Patented May 17, 1932 PATENT OFFICE,

CHARLES .T. MENSMAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT COLUMBIA KEY CASE Application filed September 18, 1930. Serial No. 482,864.

This invention relates to improvements in key cases of the flexible pocket type. A prevalent defect of such cases as heretofore constructed has been a lack of efiicient means to insure the proper disposition of contained keys under all conditions of service. Due to their flexibility, such cases buckle and bulge with the result that keys work up on their holders and slip from the case.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key case having means to overlie and retain keys in proper position so that keys cannot work up on their holders.

Another object is the provision of a key case having a relatively stifl' or substantially inflexible element foldable over contained keys independently of the case closure flaps whereby to restrain undue flexing of the case in service and engaging the keys to prevent slipping of the keys outwardly from the case. Other objects will be apparent from the description, to those skilled in the art.

This specification and accompanying drawings describe and illustrate a practical, physical embodiment of my invention, constituting the best means I have thus far de-' vised for reducing the invention to practice.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective of a key case, unfolded, as constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the case as folded and closed.

Figure 3 is an elevation of a slightly modified form of case, as unfolded and extended.

Figure 4 is a section centrally through a folded and closed key case.

Figure 5 is a transverse section as on the line 55 of Figure 4.

In detail, the case is formed as a center section, or back 6 of flexible material, usually leather or the like, having integral end closure flaps 7 and 8 foldable inwardly thereover along the fold lines 9 and 10, and which flaps overlap, being held in closed position by snap fastener elements 11 and 12.

As in conventional practice, the back portion 6, adjacent one. edge, has secured thereto an anchor plate13 from which are pivotally suspended the usual series of key hook holders 14 which receive the keys 15.

Along or adjacent this edge the back 6 carries a flexible short flap 16, which may be stitched to the inner face of the back adj aoent the anchor plate as shown in Figure 1, or which may be made integral with the back portion, as shown at 16a in Figure 3. The flap 16 or 16a is made only long enough to fold inwardly down over the anchor plate 13 and does not overlie the keys.

Attached to the free edge of the flap, preferably as by a line of stitching 17 is a piece 18 ofstiflf or substantially inflexible material of truncated configuration and which is of a length and width sufiicient to overlie and cover the keys when the flap 16 or 16a as the case may be is folded inwardly of the key case, the length of the piece 18 being substan tially equal that of the back 6. This piece 18, being inherently inflexible or substantially so relative to the key case proper, constitutes,

when folded down over the keys, a means by which any possibility of the keys slipping up in the case to become disengaged therefrom is prevented. V

In practice, the case being open, keys areplaced on the holders 14 and the flap 16 or 16a is then infolde'd to dispose the member 18 down over the keys. The end closure flaps '7 and 8 are then folded in over piece 18 and secured by the fastener elements 11 and 12.

I am aware that prior to this invention it has been proposed to provide stiffening means in key cases, in the form of a reinforcing strip lying against the back portion and underneath the keys. In such constructions under bulging' of the closure flaps it is possible for keys to slide up over the stiifening member, especially in-inverted positions of the case, and work from the case. In the present in; vention, as the member 18 overlies the keys- 1 have illustrated and descr bed certain details and materials entering into the construction and operation thereof, I desire it to be understood that the same do not constitute limitations, but that any desired changes and modifications may be made in such details and materials as will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a key case having a flexible back formed with integral closure flaps foldable thereoveruand provided with key holding means on said back adjacent one edge, a short flexible flap on said back and foldablefrom said edge inwardly over said key holding means, and a relatively stifl member attached .to the free edge of said short flap to overlie and retain in the case keys on said holding means when disposed beneath said closure .flaps.

2. A device of the character described including a flexible key case having an open :edge, means for pivotally supporting keys adjacent said edge sothey may be swung-out when the case is opened, a flexible cover flap for said open edge connected to the case at said edge, and :an elongated relatively stiff member connected to the flap and extending substantially the length of the case.

3. In a key .case having a flexible back, .closureflaps foldable thereover, and key holding means attached to the back adjacent one edge, a flexible, flap on the back foldable along the edge, and a substantially inflexible extension member connected to .said flexible flap and substantially covering the key holdingmeans and keys adapted to overlie {and retain inthe case keys carried by saidholding means when disposed beneath said closure flaps.

.4. A device ofthe character described including a flexible key case having an open edge, means pivotally supporting keys adj acent said edge so they may be swung out when the case is opened, and a relatively stiff elongated free flap normally overlying the key supporting means and the keys in the case and hingedly connected adjacent the .open edge of said case to swing thereabout.

5. A device of the character described including a flexible key case having an open edge, means :for pivotally supporting keys adjacent said edge so they may be swung out when the case is opened, a :flexible cover flap forsaid open edge connected to the case at .said edge and foldable over the key supporting means, and free swinging substantially rig-id anchoring means connected with-said flap and extending the length of the case to prevent accidental withdrawal of the cover flap when the case is closed.

6. A key case having a flexible back with opposed closure flaps on two side edges foldable thereover and conforming to the shape of the back in closed posit-ion, means on the back pivotally supporting keys adjacent an open edge so they may be swung out when the case is opened, and a relatively stifi elongated free flap of an area substantially equal to the back normally overlying the key supporting means and keys in the case and hingedly connected adjacent said open edge to swing thereabout.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

CHAS. J. MENSMAN.

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