US1877909A - Key holder - Google Patents

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet l lvENToR A y B [Zar/ffl?. 'EQ/mf Original Filed March 25, 1929 6- da ATTOR Y C. LENFANT KEY HOLDER sp'f. 2o, 1932.

original Filed Maron 25, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 20, 1932. i

Original Filed March 23. 1929 C. LENFANT KEY HOLDER IM IHIWHHHH IHIHIL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patented Sept. 20, 1932 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES LENFANT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KEY lHOLDER.

Application led March 23, 1929, Serial No. 849,343. Renewed August 18, 1930.

This invention relates to key holders, and has for its general object and purpose to provide a device of exceedingly simple and inexpensive construction especially des1gned for the purpose of holding a plurality of keys of generally similar form, such as Yale lock keys and which will enable the easy and quick selection of the proper key Without necessitating the opening of the case orholder eX- posing all of the keys.

It is another important object of my invention to provide a case or holder-for keys which may be manufactured on a quantity production basis and at such low cost, that ".5 itV can be distributed gratis by banks and other financial institutions to safety deposit vault renters.

It is a more particular object of my invention to provide a key case which is produced from a single stamped blank of leather or other flexible material, said blank being folded and the parts thereof stitched together at spaced points so as to provide a plurality of individual key receiving pockets, said pockets at one of their ends having means restricting the effective width of the pocket and permitting the shank of the key to be projected beyond said end of the pocket while the enlarged head of the vkey is retained therein.

It is another-important feature of the invention to provide the simple and effective means which will permit of the easy insertion of the keys into the individual pockets of the case and after such insertion close the pockets against possibility of the accidental loss of the key therefrom.

In another practical embodiment of the invention, I provide the leather key case with two series of key receiving pockets on opposite sides of its center so that the case may be centrally folded upon itself, the ends thereof being provided with suitable fastening devices. In this form 'of the device, it is unnecessary to detach the fastening means, as

any desired key may be readily selected and projected in position for use, while the case sections remain in folded relation.

It is also an advantageous feature of each 5o form of my invention that the leather case 7-7 of Fig. 6;

for the keys is very fiat, and of convenient size to be easily carried in the vest pocket or a purse, and in which the keys are held in separated relation preventing rattling Inetallic Contact of the keys with each other. Since the keys are not hunched together as in holders previously provided for this purpose, bulk is materially reduced, and when carried in the pocket, pressure against the case will not be noticeably felt.

With the above and other objects in view,l the invention consists in the improved key holder or case in the form, lconstruction and relative arrangement of its several parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, il# lustrated in the accompanying drawings, and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated several simple and practical embodiments of my invention, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section showing a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view'of the blank fromI which the case is formed;

Fig. 4 is a. side elevation of a foldable case showing the same open;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the two sections of the case folded on each other and fastened together;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing a modified form of the invention;

` Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank from 9o which the case illustrated in Fig. 6 is produced;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation showing another alternative construction;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the blank fromv which the case of Fig. 9 is produced;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation illustrating a 100 slightly diiferent form of the pocket closing means of the case shown in Fig. 9;

13 is a s'ide elevation showing a further alternative embodiment of the inven- 5. tion;

Fig. 14 is an edge view thereof;

Fig. 15is a sectional view taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a lan view of the blank from which one of t ecase sections of Fig. 13 is formed;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation showing another modified form of the device; and

Fi 18 is a plan view of the blank from whic the latter form of the case is produced.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and

for the present more particularly to Figs. 1,

2 and 3 thereof, the key holder or case as therein shown is produced from a single sheet 20 of leather or other iexible material. The

leather is cut or stamped out to provide the blank generally indicated at 5 in Fig. 3.

This bank at one of its ends has a plurality o spaced tabs or flaps 6 and in spaced relation to each of these aps, an elongated opening or slot 7 is formed through the material, said slots being aligned with each other and ex` tending at right angles to the lengthwise dimension of the blank.

The stamped or cut leather blank above described is now folded along the line indicated at 8 between the opposite side edges of the slots 7. The other end portion of the blank is then folded inwardly and downwardly along the line indicated at 9 so that the end edge 10 of the blank is positioned along a line substantially coinciding with the line of juncture of the tabs 6 with the body of the blank. Thus as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, this end portion of the blank overlies and entirely conceals the tabs 6.

The'folded blank is now run through a '45 blank between the fold lines 8 and 9 along the spaced parallel lines 11, said lines of stitching extending along opposite side edges of the folded material and between the spaced slots or openings 7 and the tabs 6 and terminating 0 at one of their ends adjacent the fold 9. Tt will therefore, be understood that the folded end portion of the blank is permanently secured to the opposed intermediate section of the blank and in the plane of the opposite end 5 portion thereof which is provided with the tabs 6. Accordingly, the case or holder will be seen to consist only of two thicknesses of material. The spaced lines of stitching 11 thus provide individual pockets indicated at l2 in which the keys are adapted to be inserted in a manner to be presently explained, there being provided at one end of each pocket a slot 7 which is of less length than the width of the pocket. Preferably, in order to @5 prevent the end of the key shank from entering the corner of the pocket beyond one end of the slot 7, I also stitch the opposite side walls of the pockets together along the diagonal lines mdlcated at 13 from each end of the slot 7 to the adjacent line of stitching 11. Thus the end of the pocket leading to the slot 7 is of restricted width.

In inserting the keys into the respective pockets 12, the closure flap 6 of the ocket is' pulled out from beneath the end e ge 10 of the case as indicated in dotted lines in Fi 3 of the drawings. Thus, the shank of the key indlcated at K may be readily inserted downwardly mto the upper end of the pocket between the iap 6 and the end edge 10 of the case wall. The shank of the key is projected a short distance through the opening 6 until the enlarged head of said key is disposed below the end edge 10 of the case wall. The ila 6 is then returned to its former position un erlying said edge portion 10 of the wall -of the case, and the key is then pushed inwardly through slot 7 until it is wholly enclosed within the pocket as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The key is thereby closely confined between the side walls of the pocket and in parallel relation therewith against any possibility of working outwardly beneath the edge 10 of the case wall.

The individual pockets containing the keys 'for different locks are suitably dierentiated from each other, as by printing, stamping or otherwise delineating upon the surface of the leather at the closed end of each pocket, numbers, letters or words so that the proper key which it is desired to use may be readily selected. In order to position the key relative to the case so that the shank of the key may be inserted in the lock cylinder, pressure is applied by the linger against the enlarged end ot the key at the fold line, and since the leather or other flexible material of the case Walls is readily yieldable, the key may be moved longitudinally in the pocket and the extremity of its shank projected through the opening 7.

This projecting part of the key shank is then grasped between the thumb and finger and the key is pulled longitudinally in the pocket so that the shank thereof is in a fully extended position in projecting relation to the slotted end wall of the pocket as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. By then grasping the op osite sidewalls of the case at each side of the ey head, the projecting key shank can be easily inserted' in the slot of the lock cylinder and turned to retract the bolt and open the door. After the key is withdrawn from the lock, it is only necessary to push the key inwardly until it is again entirely contained and enclosed within the case pocket.

In the embodiment of the device shown in Fig. 1, T have shown the case with three of the key receiving pockets, but it is of course, apparent that any number of such pockets may be provided. The individual keys are at all times held in the case in separated spaced relation and out of Contact with each other. Thus, the key case may be easily ried in the pocket, and since the total thickness thereof exceedsthe thickness of the key only by the thickness of the opposite side walls of the case, the case will remain perfectly flat. Since the individual keys cannot come into direct overlying contact with each other, bulk is materially reduced and discomfort caused by pressure against the keys carried in the pocket is obviated.

In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, I have shown a case of the same general construction vas that illustrated in Fig. 1 but consisting of two sections generally designated A and B respectively, each having a series of key receiving pockets. The two case sections are formed from a single blank sheet of material, and said sections between the two series of pockets are foldable upon each other along the line indicated at 14.

The opposite ends of the case sections are provided with suitable fastener elements as shown at 15 and 16 respectively, on the inner faces thereof which are adapted to be engaged when the case sections are folded together so as to secure and retain the same in folded position. Thus a case of greater capacity is provided, but which is of comparatively short length and also relatively flat. Any selected key may be easily projected from the case pocket in the manner above explained, without unfolding the two sections of the case.

It will be apparent, in view of the fact that the key case in eitherof the forms above described, may be inexpensively produced from a single blank sheet of leather, that the case can be manufactured on a quantity production basis at very low cost. The device may therefore, be advantageously utilized by banks and other financial institutions as an inducement to prospective patrons, one of the cases being given to each renter of a safety deposit vault. As indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the outer surface of the leather case may bear the name of the bank and any other suitable advertising matter printed thereon.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, I have shown a slightly modified form of the device, in which the closure tabs or flaps 6 are eliminated. In this construction, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the slots 7 are located relatively close to one end edge of the blank so that this end edge portion, when folded along the line ,of said slots forms a comparatively short section 17 of one side wall of the case. The remaining section 18 of this side wall of the case is relatively wide, and the said wall sections are disposed in the same plane with their edges normally in close abutting` relation as indicated at 19. The distance between this line of contact between the edges of the wall sections 17 and 18 and the slotted end of the keyI pocket is less than the diameter of the circu arly enlarged end of the average Yale key. In inserting the key, the shank thereof is engaged beneath the upper edge of theuwall section 17 of the case and the key then moved downwardly against the face of the wall section 18 until the shank of the key is fully projected through the slot 7. By then flexing the case walls, the lower edge portion of the wall section 17 may be engaged over the face of the circular end of thekey. The key is then moved inwardly until it is entirely enclosed within the pocket. f In .this construction, the case is otherwise the same as that previously described and the individual keys are extended from the pockets and positioned for use in the same manner, as. shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. As the head of the key, when in position for use, projects above the abutting edges 19 of the wall sections 17 and 1 8, it cannot work outwardly over the outer face of the wall section 18 when the key is again returned to its enclosed position within the pocket.

In Figs. 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings, I show another form of the device in which the side wall section 17 of the case forms the major portion of said side wall, the other section 18 thereof being relatively short. The

llines of stitching 11 whereby the pockets are` formed extend throughout the length of the wall section 17. The other section 18 is also secured by the stitching lines 11EL to the opposite side wall of the case, said stitching lines substantially joining the lines 11. However, the section 18 of the case wall also includes a free or unsecured flap 6 which is of slightly less width than the width of the wall section 18. This iiap extends over and closes the upper ends of the individual key receiving pockets. A

In Fig. 12 of the drawings, I show a slightly different form, in which instead of providing the single flap 6 common to all of the pockets, the individual closure flaps 6* are provided for therespective pockets, and the single continuous lines of stitching forming the everal pockets extends between thse spaced aps. I

In Figs 13, 14 and 15, I have shown another alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the case consists of two separate units, each form-ed from a blank as shown in Fig. 16 and which is folded along the line 20 to provide opposite side walls of equal length. One end of the blank has a closureflap 21 and tbe slots or openings 7 a are formed through the blank substantially on the line of juncture of the Hap 21 with one side wall section. After the blank is folded along the line 20, the two side walls are stitched together to form the individual key receiving pockets as above explained. These pockets are entirely open at one of their ends, and are closed by folding the flap 21 over said open ends of the pockets 1 'ois and upon the inner side wall of the case section or unit. The slots 7 thus provide restricted outlets forl the several pockets, portions of each pocket being closed at opposite ends of the openings 7a by the flap 2l. Two such case sections or units are superimposed upon each other and stitched together along their opposite side edges as indicated at 22. The flaps 21 of the respective case sections are folded inwardly and when in closed position are in contacting relation with each other. The keys are thereby securely held against accidental release from the case pockets.

In Figs. 17 and 18 of the drawings, an-

other possible construction of the device is illustrated, in which the blank is in the form of a single rectangular sheet of leather having fastener elements 15 and 16. respectively, secured thereto adjacent its opposite end edges. After centrally folding the blank upon itself, the opposed sections thereof are stitched together along parallel lines to form the key receiving pockets. The fastener elements 15 and 16 which are engaged with each other are so located at theopen ends of the pockets as to constrict said open ends or reduce the width thereof so that the circular head of the key cannot be withdrawn, the distance between these fastener elements and the lines of stitching 11 most remote therefrom being less than the 'diameter of the key head. In this arrangement, of course when the keys are rinserted in the pockets of the case, the fastener elements 15 and 16 are disengaged from each other so as to fully open the end of the case pocket.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that the construction and several advantages of the illustrated embodiments of the device will be clearly understood. While I have shown and described a number of desirable forms of my improved key holder or case, it is possible that other alternative structures might also be devised incorporating the essential features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that l reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes in the form, construction and relative arrangement of the several parts as may be fairly incorporated within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

` I claim:

1. A case for holding a plurality of rigid articles in segregated relation to each other consisting of side walls of flexible material secured together along spaced parallel lines to provide a. series of separate pockets, each adapted to receive a single article, said case having a part completely closing said pockets at one of their ends, and said part freely flexing under externally-applied pressure to transmit movement to the articles in the respective pockets and project the same beyond the other ends of the pockets, and means partially closing the pockets at their latter ends to prevent the complete removal of the articles therefrom.

2. A case for holding a plurality of rigid articles in segregated relation to each other consisting of a single sheet of flexible material folded upon itself and having its superimposed parts secured together along spaced parallel lines to provide a series of separate pockets each adapted to receive a single article, said pockets being completely closed at one of their ends by the fold in the flexible material, said fold freely exing under externally applied pressure to transmit movement to the articles longitudinally in the respective pockets and project the same beyond the other ends of the pockets, and means partially closing the pockets at their latter ends to prevent the complete removal of the articles therefrom.

8. A case for holding a plurality of rigid articles in segregated relation to each other consisting of a single sheet of exible material folded upon itself with the ends of said sheet in meeting relation on one side of the case, the superimposed parts of said flexible sheet being secured together by spaced parallel lines of stitching extending across said meeting ends of the sheet and providing a series of separate pockets each adapted to receive a single article insertable into said pockets between the meeting ends of the flexible sheet, said pockets being completely closed atoneI of their ends by a fold in the flexible material which is freely flexible un- `der externally applied pressure to move the articles longitudinally in the respective pockets and project -the same beyond the other ends of the pockets. and means partially closing the pockets at their latter ends to prevent the complete removal of thearticles therefrom.

4. A case for holding a plurality of rigid articles in segregated relation to each other consisting o-f a single sheet of flexible material folded upon itself in spaced relation to each of its ends, said end portions of the fiexible sheet being secured to the intermediate portion thereof by spaced parallel lines of stitching tofprovide a plurality of separate pockets each adapted to receive a single article, the ends of said flexible sheet on one side of the case being relatively free and in contiguous relation to each other and between which the articles are adapted to be inserted into the respective pockets, said flexible material at one end of each pocket having a slot therein of less width than the pocket, and the other end of each pocket being completely closed by one of the folds in the sheet material, the pocket walls at the latter ends thereof being yieldable under externally applied pressure whereby the articles may be longitudinally moved within the respective pockets and projected through said slots to a position for use.

5. A key case consisting of a single sheet of flexible material' folded upon itself in spaced relation to its opposite ends, the superimposed parts of said sheet being secured to eachother by spaced parallel lines of stitching to form a series of separate pockets each adapted to receive a key insertable into the pocket between the ends of said flexible sheet on one side of the case, one end of said sheet being rovided with closure means for the respectlve pockets to prevent the accidental ldisplacement ofthe keys therefrom, said material at one end of each pocket having a slot therein of-*less width than the pocket, said pockets being completely closed at their other ends by one of the folds in said material yieldable under externally applied pressure whereby the key may be moved longitudinally in the respective pockets and pro-` jected through vthe slot'at the opposite end thereof to a position for use. i

6. A key case consisting of a single sheet of iiexible material folded upon itself in spaced relation to its opposite ends, the superimposed parts of said sheetbeing secured to each other by spaced parallel lines. of stitching to form a series of separate pockets each adapted to receive a key insertable into the pocket between the ends of said flexible sheet on one side of the case, one end of said sheet being provided with. closure means for the respective pockets to prevent the accidental displacement ofthe keys therefrom, said material at one end ofleach pocket having a .slot therein of less width than the pocket, said pockets being completely closed at their other endsby one of the folds-in said material yieldable under externally applied pressure whereby*l the key may be moved longitudinally in the respective pockets and pro]ected through the slot in the opposite end thereof to aposition for use, and diagonal lines of stitching connecting the pocket walls between the opposite ends of said slots and the parallel lines of stitchingto restrict .the width of the'pocket at its slotted'end and thereby prevent the entire withdrawal ofthe ke from the pocket.

i. A key case having walls of flexible material stitched together along parallel lines to provide a lurality of separate ockets'to receive thein 'vidual keys, said poc ets being permanently closed at one of their ends and one'side wall of each key receivingpocket having unconnected relatively flexing opposed (portions between which the key is adapte to'be inserted into the pocket, and the wall ,of each key pocket being further rovided in spaced relation to said relativel exing portions with a slot through whic I the key shank may be withdrawn.

8. A key case for holdlng a plurality of keys in segregated relation, comprising side walls connected with each other alon spaced parallel lines to provide a pilurality o pockets to receive the individual eys, one side wall of each pocket intermediate of its ends having opposed relatively movable parts be- -tween which the key is insertable into the pocket, one end of each pocket beingv permanently closed, and the other end 'of each pocket having a relatively narrow slot through which the shank of the key may be withdrawn to an exposed position for insertion in the key slot of a lock cylinder.

9. A key'rcase of flexible material having a plurality of elongated pockets respectively receiving and confining the individual keys against contacting engagement with each other, each pocket having an opening extending across substantially the entire width thereof for the insertion of the key and also provided in longitudinally spaced parallel relation to said opening with a relatively narrow slot permitting the key shank to be withdrawn from said pocket while retaining the key head therein.

Y 10. A case having a body wall of liexible material provided upon one sidev thereof with a plurality of key-holding pockets, an end portion of said body wall being inwardly folded and stitched tosaid wall along spaced parallel lines to form parts of the key-holdlng pockets, vandteach of the pockets having a side wall provided with an opening into which the key head maybe inserted or withdrawn, and each pocket also having a relatively narrow slit in its wall spaced from said opening for a distance exceeding the diameter of the key head and throu h which the shank portion'iof the key may epwithdrawn, and guard means for the opening of each pocket preventing the accidental movement of the key head outwardly therethrough.

vIn testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name hereto.

lCHARLES LENliANT.

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