US2389426A - Key container - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 20?, 1945. s. H. GEFFNER KEY CONTAINER Filed March .28, 1944 0 Lg?. 5., s'

,SAMUEL H. GEF/WER Patented Nov. 20, 1945 yUNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE KEY CONTAINER Samuel H. Geffner, New York,`N. Y.

Application March 28, 1944, Serial No. 528,468

(Cl. 15G-40) l Claim.

This invention relates to a key container and it is one object of the invention to provide a key container :or yholder which consists of companion sections hinged `to each other along one side for opening and closing movement and of such formation that when the container is closed it will be `at .and not bulky when placed in a persons pocket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key container wherein the sections are equipped with retainer bars or `strips secured flat against inner faces of the sections at points spaced from each other longitudinally of the Vstrips so that a number of keys may be thrust under -each strip and 'firmly held but permitted to be individually removed for use.

Another Aobject vof the ,invention is to so form the strips that they have scalloped edges, thus providing each key-receiving portion with edges so curved that a key may be easily thrust under the strip and firmly gripped by frictional binding.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key container of such construction that when a key is withdrawn from under a retainer strip it will be entirely free from the container and may be very easily inserted into a keyhole to unlock a door.

Another object of the invention is to provide the two sections of the container with marginal beads or flanges which serve to reinforce them and to prevent a key from accidentally slipping out of place beneath a retainer strip and becoming lost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key container which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and of such formation that it may be conveniently carried in a pocket or purse.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the improved key container when closed.

Fig. 2 is a View showing the container open.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which the nap is held closed.

This improved key container resembles a change purse when closed and consists of companion sections I and 2 which may be formed of leather or other suitable material. The outer iacings 3 and 4 of the two sections `are integral with each other and :formed from a sheet of pliable leather and, in order to stiffen kthe sections, there have been provided sheets 5 of thicker and stiier leather which are secured flat against the outer facing sheet yby lines of stitching l along their marginal edges. The stiffenving sheets 5 and 6 are spaced from each other in order that the `portion 8 of the facing .sheet between inner ends of `the two stiffening sheets may serve as a hinge portion and integrally unite the `tvvo sections I and 2 Vfor opening and closing movement.

Each-of the Asections has its marginal portions bordered by a frame -9 formed of stiff leather or :other suitable material and, while each frame has been shown of a unitary construction, it will be understood that separate strips of leather may be used for forming the frames. These frames have their outer marginal edge faces iiush with edges of the stiffening portions 5 and 6 and they are secured at against the stiffening sheets by thestitches 'I which secure the stiffening sheets to the facing sheet. A retainer strip I0 for holding keys in place extends transversely of each section I and 2 between side portions of the frames thereof, and, referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that each retainer strip is formed integral with the frame 9 and secured at spaced intervals by stitches II which pass through the strips I0 and also through' the stiffening sheets -5 and E, but have not been shown passing through the facing sheet as they would then be exposed externally of the container and detract from its appearance. If desired, stitches may pass through all theV thicknesses of material, or cement, heat, or other suitablen securing means may be used, this being particularly true if plastic or like material is used instead of leather. The portions of the strips I0 between the lines of stitching II form loops I2 under which keys are to be confined, and edges I3 and I4 of these loops are curved, as shown in Fig. 2, alternate loops having their edges curved in opposite directions so that when a number of keys I5 are thrust into place through the loops and enter the loops through the ends having the inwardly curved edges I3, the keys will alternately extend in opposite directions and each may be individually removed or inserted without interference by adjacent keys. Since the ends of the loops under which the keys are first thrust when inserting them, are formed with inwardly curved edges, the keys may be very easily thrust into place without catching against ends of the loops. The strips I0 may be formed of leather, fabric, elastic material such as rubberized fabric, or any other suitable material.

The frames serve to reinforce the marginal portions of the two sections I and 2 and also cause the sections to be formed with internal pockets or recesses of such depth that when keys are fitted through the loops they Will be lcountersunk in the sections and prevented from interfering with closing of the container. In addition, the frames will constitute guards or abutment strips which will prevent the keys from accidentally slipping free from the loops while a key is being withdrawn for use or replaced. Since the keys may be entirely removed from the container when they are to be used, they may be conveniently held in a persons hand and thrust into a keyhole of a lock without the free use of the key being interfered With by a key container or a ring and bunch of keys hanging from a key in use. Cement or other equivalent may be used instead of the stitching I I for forming the loops.

One endportion of the sheet of leather from v which the facing sheets 3 and 4 are formed eX- tends beyond the outer end of section I and forms a fiap I6 which tapers toward its free end and terminates in a tongue I'I for engagement under a strap I 8 and holding the container closed. This nap is reinforced by a stiffening sheet I9 cemented or otherwise secured against its inner face, and since the ap and its tongue are stiffened, the tongue may be very easily thrust under the strap I8 when the container is closed. A portion of thestiffening sheet forms a latch 20 which acts very effectively to prevent the tongue from accidentally slipping out of place under the strap I8.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A key container comprising a main sheet of pliable material, sheets for reinforcing and stiffening the main sheet disposed flat against the inner face of the main sheet and extending the full width thereof, one reinforcing sheet having an outer end even with an end of the main sheet, the second reinforcing sheet having its inner end spaced from the inner end of the first reinforcing sheet, the main sheet having an end portion projecting from the outer end of the second reinforcing sheet and tapered to form a flap having a tongue intermediate its width, frames secured upon said reinforcing sheets and extending along yside edges and end edges thereof, said frames each carrying a transversely extending strip spaced from ends of the frame and having its ends connected with side portions of the frame, each strip being secured at longitudinally spaced points and between the said points being free and forming key-receiving loops each one having one end formed with an inwardly bowed arcuate edge and having its other end projecting outwardly and formed with an outwardly bowed arcuate edge, adjoining loops of each strip having their projecting ends extending in opposite directions, said main sheet being folded between the spaced inner ends of said frames to close the key container and dispose the frames in confronting relation to each other, and said flap being folded across ends of the closed container and releasably secured to hold the container closed.

SAMUEL H. GEFFNER.

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