US2278088A - Key holder - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1942; p. G. NELSON 2,2715088 KEY HOLDER 7 Filed 001'... 9, 1939 INVENTOR. PETER e. NELSON fie ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNlTED TES PAT NT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention is an improvement in key holders and relates more particularly to key cases whereby a plurality of keys or the like may be conveniently carried in a single case normally enclosing the keys, but expandible to permit access to said keys.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a key case composed of material molded as a single unti and having resilient key compartments for the accommodation of a plurality of sets of keys.

Another object consists in the provision of a novel key case of rubber or similar material molded as a single unit, which is extremely simple of construction, inexpensive to manufacture and which will accommodate a relatively large number of keys at one time in such a manner that ready access may be had to any one of the keys for immediate use at all times.

A further object of the invention is to provide a molded rubber key case which is characterized by its ability to resist accidental displacement from the pocket of the user.

Another object is to provide a simply constructed key case of molded resilient material which is compact and neat in appearance.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent from the following description of one embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a key case embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is an end view of the same;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the same; and

Figure 5 is a diagonal section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

In carrying out my invention as illustrated in the drawing, I provide a key case comprising a body I which is preferably molded of an elastic, soft, flexible material such as rubber.

The body is formed in a single elongated unit and is substantially hollow to receive and house a pluralty of keys. There is provided a diagonally arranged partition member 2 formed integrally with the top '3 and bottom 4 and portions of the side walls as at 5 and 6, to thereby divide the hollow interior of the case into a plurality of key compartments of substantial triangular shape. A suitable pin 1 may be removably provided at the larger end of each compartment for receiving and pivotally supporting the keys in the respective compartments. These pins may be separable fasteners of the type shown in the drawing comprising a pin 1 passing through the top 3 and bottom wall 4 of the case and having a threaded socket therein to receive the headed screw or nut 8'.

It will be observed that the peripheral side walls of the case forming a wall of each compartment are slit both horizontally and vertically as indicated in Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5. The horizontal slit 9 extends substantially along the longer and shorter side walls of the compartment and'terminates at one end in a vertical or transverse slit Ill which is located at or close to the point where the adjacent end of the partion 2 and the unslit side wall 5 or 6 come together. The transverse slit extends to the top and bottom case walls and thereby greatly increases the ease with which access may be had to the interior of the compartment. 5

That portion of the horizontal slit which is located in the ends of the key case containing the pins 1 is relieved by removing some of the material so as to space the walls defining the slit at this location. In this manner a key may be swung about the pin 1 as illustrated in Figure l and when the top and bottom walls are allowed to close the compartment, the head of the key will lie between the spaced walls of the slit and will be held thereby in the extended position ready for use.

A key case made in accordance with my invention possesses many advantages. By means of the simple construction of the device the cost of manufacture is not only low, but I find that a relatively large number of keys may be carried in the case without interfering with quick access to any particular key and at the same time the device will not be diflicult to handle and is not so bulky that it will cause an unsightly appearance either in use or when it reposes in the pocket of the clothes of the user.

Furthermore, the device which is molded of rubber has the advantage of resisting accidental displacement from a pocket because the rubber surfaces in contact with cloth will not slide easily and thereby be accidentally dropped from a pocket.

When it is desired to use one of the keys housed within one of the compartments, longitudinal pressure may be applied upon opposite ends of the case as by holding the same between the thumb and fingers and pressing against the ends of the case, preferably at points opposite the ends of the partition 2. In this manner the top and bottom walls 3 and 4 respectively of the desired compartment will be forced apart along the slit 9 as illustrated in Figure 1. Since the vertical or transverse slit 6 relieves the adjacent side walls of the case, the compartment will be opened with greater ease. The selected key is then swung about its pin until the head of the key rests in the space H between the end walls of the case and when the case is allowed to be closed again this selected key will be held normally in a line lengthwise of the case.

Various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A key case formed of a resilient material in a single piece and having a key compartment which is substantially triangular in form, one of the side walls defining an arm of the triangular form being slit lengthwise of the compartment and having a connecting transverse slit located at smallest end of the triangular compartment to permit easy access to the compartment upon application of pressure against the ends of the case.

2. A key case formed of resilient material and comprising as a unitary structure an elongated hollow and substantially flat body having side walls each slit longitudinally from a point at opposed ends of the case, said slits extending to a point near the respective opposite ends of the case, and terminating in a transverse slit to facilitate easy access to the interior of the case u on the application of a longitudinal pressure against the case ends, a wall extending diagonally Within the case body from a point near one transverse slit to the other transverse slit to provide within the case a pair of overlying key compartments, said transverse slits each being formed in the side walls of the body and on opposite sides of said diagonal wall, and means in the enlarged end of each compartment for pivotally holding a plurality of keys therein. 4

PETER G. NELSON.

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