US2608851A - Key holder - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 2, 1952 s, EFF 2,608,851

KEY HOLDER Filed Nov. 29, 1949 Fi lze-Esl? Ti :1.5.

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A TTOQNEY Patented Sept. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEY HOLDER Y Samuel Leff, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 29, 1949, Serial No. 129,965

' 9 claims. (o1. 711-456) This invention relates to key holders. More particularly my invention pertains to key holders ofthe type including a spring which is compressed whenakey is urged to retracted position within a housing, so as to store energy which subsequently is released to snap the key to an extended position.

It is an object of my invention `to provide a key holder of the character described which is of such construction that the key automatically is latched in retracted position, i. e. latched, without manipulation of any parts.

It is another object of my invention to provide a key 'holder of the characterdescribed which is of particularly simple construction an is positive and reliable in operation.

Other objects of my invention will in part be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter. i

My inventionaccordingly consists inthe features of construction, combinationsl of elements and arrangements ofparts which will 'be exemplified in the device hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will beindicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of myinvention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a key holder constructed in accordance with my invention, the key being illustrated in retracted position;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the key holder, the same being taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken substantially along the lines 4-4, 5--5 and 5 6, respectively, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3- but with the key shown in extended'position; and

Fig. 8 is an exploded view showing the inner surfaces of the two halves of the key kholder housing.

Referring now in detail to Vthe drawings, the reference numeral I8 denotes a key holder ernbodying my invention and comprising a housing I2, a key post I4, a pair of springs I5, I8 and a bridle 20.

The housing I2 preferably is made in two halves 22, 24 (Fig. 8) which are mirror images of one another so that only one half 22 need be described. The corresponding parts of the other half 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals primed.

rEhe housingvhalf 22 is fabricated from Some 2, inexpensive material and in accordance with the preferred form of my invention is molded from a plastic material, for example, any one of the well known synthetic plastics such as cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose butyrate, an acrylic resin, styrene, a phenol formaldehyde resin or a urea formaldehyde resin. Due toits simple shape and non-critical dimensions and to thev absence of above normal temperatures during its ordinary use, I have found it most convenient; to make the housing halves from a thermoplastic resin by injection molding.

Said housing half 22 constitutes a thin wall-26 of generally oblong shape whose outside surface may, as illustrated, be substantially VYflat., although, if desired, any suitable ornamentation therefor can be included. The Wall is provided with a throughv slot 28 disposed approximately midway between the two longitudinal edges of the wall. The side Vedges 30, 32 and inner edge 34 of the housing half 22 are providedfwith a rail or flange 36 which, in conjunction with the flange 36' on the other half 24, cooperate to denne a thin space between the two walls 26, 26 when the housing halves are registered and abutted and the rails face one another.

One side edge, for example the edge 30, is fashioned with a notch or indentation 38 through which the tang 48 of a key K is adapted to pro. ject when the key is retracted within the key holder in a fashion later to be described. In

lorder that the tang of the key may be visible and accessible through the indentation, the flanges 36, 36' are interrupted at this point. 1

The slot 28 terminates at an outer end 42, located on the longitudinal center line on the housing half 22. The inner end 44 of said slot, however, is differently arranged, running into a laterally extending branch 46 which slopes at least to a slight extent in a direction back toward the outer end of the housing, this branch therefore in effect imparting a hook formation to the inner end of the slot on a side adjacent the notch 38. The tip of this laterally extending branch is transversely offset from the longitudinal and central axis of the long straight portion ofthe slot by at least slightly more than the width of the slot. As a result of the foregoing construction, the outer edge 48 of the branch 46 makes an angle of less than with the adjacent edge 49 of the slot 28, and an element slidable in the slot can by proper manipulation have more than one half thereof received in the branch.

' On the inside surface of the housing means is provided to locate the springs I6, I8. These springs constitute elongated spiral coil compression springs and the locating means therefor includes a pair of channels 5B, 52. Said channels are located on opposite sides of the slot 28 and run substantially the full length of the halves 22, 24, terminating slightly short of the two ends of the housing. The channel 52 which is adjacent the indentation 38 is closer to the inner offset end 44 of theslot `2.8 than is the other channel 50. Theinn'er ends :of the channels 50, 52 constitute seats for the inner ends of the springs. The top ends of the channels are defined by .a slightly raised flat 54 whose height is intermediate the height of the wall 26 and the flange 36. The heights of the ribs 56 constituting thesides 4of the channels 50, 52 are such that the space between the ribs 56, 56' is slightlyinexcess :ofthe' thickness of the key K thereby permitting the tang of the key to slide on and betweensaid ribs.

The key post I4 comprises two parts, each part I'containingone half of a rapidly attachable and detachable linterengag'ing means. Thus said post, Aas shown, includes A'a -stub spindle $8 'which desirablyfis of circular crosssectional-'configuration vhaving 'a diameter `such that the spindle makes afsli'dingiitwith theslots, 28 and .the reaches K456, S46'. Said 'spindle is provided Ywith a lhead i60 vatits 'outside end and .at its `inside end has atappedbore A(i2 'Tinto which a hea'ded'screw -64 is threadable. 'The-length of'the spindle 'between its head 60 and the head-of 'the screw lis slightly iin excess of the thickness yof ythe housing, Thus the post 14 Eis ffreely s'lidable ralong the ylength nl' 'the slots v'118, 128' and `can be fshiftedinto .the o'iset reaches 546. 46".

'The-ibridle 2U includes an elongated shan-k fBS which iis' slidabl'ein Aa cavity denedby opposed indentations y68, 8-8' lying `between jthe spring loca tngchannels 156, :52 and 5'0", 52'. The opposite ends 'ofthe 'shank are formed into shoes "I0, vT2. whichfhave:cross-sections substantially similar to the crossssectionsiofthe springs l6,1l'8^and'there -foreare adapted to 'ride in the channels 5G, 52. .'I'hefshank ,and heads of the bridle -i'lt loosely enough in 'their channels to permit :a slight "tilting movement of Ythe bridle, the V-purpose whereof Willibe pointedout hereinafter. `The bridle 'is located .a't the 'outer vends fof the springs between said springs and fthe -key -post I4.

'The :edge .'14 of the `slot '28 -where1itruns into the inner Send :44 of theslot is inclined towardthe edge 2311 of 'the housing 'having the indentation 38, this `#inclination being.quite.gradualV and commencing at :a point -a above the inner end of theedge 2&9. Saidedge V"mat its innermost point 'h'iis located closer -`to the edge 3D -of ithe`housing than either the .edge 44S! of theslot or the :point 'cwhich joins the edges 48, J9.

`lThe :purpose .of vproviding rthe `inner fend -44 -o'f the -slot with a confguration such as just described fis -to `obtain -an .automatic latc'liing action when rthe ikey'is moved toretracted position. At such time, dueto fthe gradual inclination of Athe fedge 1-4, the key post `does not tend to halt its lin'wardmovement as `it is urged to retracted posiition ibyzmanual :pressure on its `tip T6. When 'the keypost reaches the innermost point b', the `key ris released. it. then -isnearer to theehannel 52 adjacentv the :indentation 38 than it is `tc the -channel T513 remote 'from said indentation. As a result, fthe yresultant -o' the A'forces exerted by Athe springson thebridle lis located at Aa point on the side of the key :post away from the reach 46 and, accordingly, lthebrlidle 66 will be slightly tilted in eazdirection toward said reach. 'Ifhereforawhen pressure on the key is released the bridle will, in addition to urging the key post upwardly, tend to press it sideways toward the indentation 38, this action resulting in insuring motion of the key post into the hook, i. e. against the edge 48.

To release the key, a iinger is pressed against the portion of a key tang 4U exposed in the indentation 38. This Will force the key post out .from under `the point .c so .that .when vmanual pressure is Yremoved the fsprings l"-16, .I8 Will snap the key to its projected position.

Inasmuch as the walls 26, 26 are comparatively thin (in the order of g1g of an inch) the outer ends of said walls are somewhat exible so .that the pressure with which a person grasps the Aholder when the key is turned sufnces to jexxthe outerends of said walls inwardly enough for .the flats 54, 54', and tips of the ribs 56, 56 which are level with the ats, nrmly to engage the shank of the key.

One of the housing halves, e. g. :the` half'l22, `isf-'fashionedwith sockets TB vin the lange 13B .and the other half withI-Pins .V vdesigned to :be re- `Iceived .in saidsockets so .that the halves maybe -properly registered. :The halves Acan be Aheld .togetherin any suitable manner, for example .by cementing the halves together or by :autogenously sealing the same.

Each half is VLformed with .a through 4opening 82 adjacentsitsinner :edge thus providing .an aperture Hfor Ythe reception :of a Ykey chain.

To assemble thekeyholder, the .springs 16,18 are placed .inthe channels 4.50, 52 oone-ofthe halves and the :bridle .located above A.the outer ends `of .the Vspringsrvvuah its ends 1.0, 12.disposed in said channels. Then the .other :half .o `the housingis placed .over vthe first-housing half and the `two halves joined. Thereafter Vthe ,spindle 58 is introduced into the slot 28 at the end 42 from .one side ni .the lhousing .and .the Yscrew 64 introduced into 'the lslot ,from the :opposite side of the housing, the two ,partsiof the `post being threadably engaged.

When it is .desired to 4mount a key, lthe two parts of the post are disengaged --and the key .tang slipped through the 'outer open end of the :housing between the flats 54, v54". The central opening 84 of the key tang is registered vwith the slots 28,128' near the outer ends 42, 42' thereof. 4Then the parts of thepost `are reassembled with the spindle .58 extending through said central opening. At Ithis time the various ,parts are in 'the ,position illustrated in Fig. 7.

The present application 'is a continuation-inpart of my copending application for key 'holders -filed 'December :30, 19.48, vSerial No. 68,300, now Patent No. v2,490,396 issued December 6,1949.

It thus will be seen that I fhave Yprovided adevice which achieves. all the objects of ,my llinvention and is'wellfadapteditotmeetzthe vconditions of practical use.

As various-'possibleienibodimentsmightbemade of the above invention, and as various `'changes might be made 'in Vthe Vembodiment Yabove vset `forth,itiis tcbe understood thatallfmatter herein described, .or-shown in :the yaccomparwing drawings, Ais to be interpreted as illustrative 'and not in a limiting sense.

Having `thus 'described my invention, Ifcla'im new and vdesire to secure by'Letters Patent:AL

1. AAkey fholder consisting of Ka vhousing comprising a pair'of1parallelspaced-walls and means joining the 'side 'and -inneredges of said wallsto denne an enclosed thin space, said'housingibeing elongated in va A`direction from lthe outer endto 'springs' onop'positesides of saidslots, a `bridle inA said housing,'mean s to guide said bridlefor movement;longitudinallylof said housing, said Abridlebeing'positioned on the outer ends o f said springs whereby said springs urge the bridle toward theout'er end o fthe'housing, said vouter end ofthe housing' v being operi; said post beingdisposed intheslots above the bridle,the'i nner ends of vsaid'islotshaying' readnes'extending laterally .therefrom andinwhichtthe post is slidable, said Vreaches .extending laterally a distance not less thanhalfjthe width ofthe post andslopingba'ck lin, thedirection ofthe outerend of the housing,

the tips ofisaid reaches being" closerto the spring the directionthereachesv extend than to the other spring;

j 1a-farei; home-il 'onsisting pia' housing comprisingja ,pair of parallel spaced walls and means joiningthe side and inner edgesof said walls todeiinean enclosed thinA space, saidr housing :being elongated 'in adirection from the outer "end "tothe `inner end thereof, said walls having 'a pair of `registered longitudinally extending slots,

a pofst, said` post being'slidablejin saidslots, a

fp air of elongated 'longitudinally yextending oompression coil `springs within said housing, means tolocate said springs' on opposite sides of said slotsjlajbridle in said housing, means `to guide 'said,bridleforfmovement longitudinally of said housing, saidbridle being positioned on the outer 1ends of said springs 'wherebysaid springs urge the bridle toward theouter end of the housing, said outer endlof the housing being open, said postbeing disposed in the slots above the bridle,

the inner ends of said slots having reaches extending laterally therefrom and in which the post -isslidablegsaid reaches extending laterally a dstance not less than half the width of the post, the tips of said reaches being closer tothe spring in the ,direction the reaches extend than ,to the otherjspring.

[,13. Alkeipholder consisting of va housing oomprisinga'jpair'of parallel spaced'walls and means joining the side and inner edges of said walls to dene an enclosed thin space, said housing being elongated in a direction from the outer end to the inner end thereof, said walls having a pair of registered longitudinally extending slots, a post, said post being slidable in said slots, a pair of elongated longitudinally extending compression coil springs within said housing, means to locate said springs on opposite sides of said slots, a bridle in said housing, means to guide said bridle for movement longitudinally of said housing, said bridle being positioned on the outer ends of said springs whereby said springs urge the bridle toward the outer end of the housing, said outer end of the housing being open, said post being disposed in the slots above the bridle, the inner ends of said slots having reaches extending laterally therefrom and in which the post is slidable, the tips of said reaches being closer to the spring in the direction the reaches extend than to the other spring.

4. A key holder consisting of a housing comprising a pair of parallel spaced Walls and means joining the side and inner edges of said walls to define an enclosed thin space, said housing being elongated in a direction from the outer end to the inner end thereof, said -'walls' havin a-'pa'ir o f registered lon''gitudinally' V extendingL slot's, a post,' sa`id postfbeing slidable in said slots-,"'t he inneiends o f said slots' havingreachesA extending laterally therefrom and in 4'which the postis slid'- able," said reaches extending laterally distance not less Vthan lonehalf-th'e Width of the post, a bridle with'insaid housing beneath said- 'post, meansloosely to guidesaid bridle'fo'r movement longitudinally 'of said housingQandjm'eans within saidhousing for resiliently urging-said bridle to- Ward the openendvof the housing, said Aniearis exerting a forceon the bridle fatapoint whichfis onthe side of `the post away from the reaches when thefpost is at the inner ends of the slotsf 5. A key' holder' consisting of aj housing corniprising a pair `of parallel spaced walls-and means.

4joining the side Vandinneredges of said walls to define an enclosed'thin space, said'housing'being elongated in a direction fromthe outer-end 'to the inner end thereof; said walls having a, pairf'of registered longitudinally extending slotsia post, said post being slidable in said slots, 'a pair of elongated longitudinally extending compression coil springs within said housing, channels insaid housing locating vsaid'springs on opposite sides of said slots a bridle in said housing, said bridle having elements' slidable in said channels whereby said vbri-dle is guided for movement longitudinally of said housing, saidl bridlev being positioned onthe outer ends of `said springs, whereby said springs urge the bridle toward the outer end of thef housing, said outer end of the housing being open,- ysaid post being disposed in the slots above the bridle, the inner ends of said'slots hav*- ing reaches extending laterally therefrom and in which the post is slidable,said reaches extending laterally a distanejnotless than halfthewidth oi the post andy s loping back in thedirection of the outer end 'ofj the housing, the, tipsjoff said reaches being closer to the 'spring in the direction the reaches extendthan to' the otherl spring.

joining the side .and inner-edges`oiv saidH walls to ,denne an enclosed/ thin spa'ce,.s aid,housing being elongated in 'a direction from thejouterend to the inner end thereof, said walls having a .pair of V.registered longitudinally extending 'slot s,1 `a post, said post being slidabley in said slots, apair of elongated longitudinally extending compression coil springs within said housing, channels in said housing locating said springs on opposite sides oi' said slots, a bridle in said housing, said bridle having elements slidable in said channels whereby said bridle is guided for movement longitudinally of said housing, said bridle being positioned on the outer ends of said springs, whereby said springs urge the bridle toward the outer end of the housing, said outer end of the housing being open, said post being disposed in the slots above the bridle, the inner ends of said slots sloping gradually into reaches extending laterally therefrom and in which the post is slidable, said reaches extending laterally a distance not less than half the width of the post and sloping back in the direction of the outer end of the housing, the tips of said reaches being closer to the spring in the direction the reaches extend than to the other spring.

7. A key holder consisting of a housing comprising a pair of parallel spaced walls and means joining the side and inner edges of said walls to define an enclosed thin space, said housing being elongated in a direction from the outer end snoeien-1.

tothe inner end thereof, said-walls having a pair .ofregistered longitudinally .extending slots, .a `fpostgsaid post being slidable in vsaidslotssa vpair of zelongated longitudinally -extending compression .coi-l. springs within said housing, ,means to glocateisaid.springs-on opposite sides .of said slots, a bridle ,in said housing, means to guide said bridle for-movement longitudinally of .-said housing, said -bridle being `positioned on the outerends of said springs whereby vsaid-springs urge .the .bridle toward .the .outer .end of the housing, said :outer `.endof the housingv being open, saidpost being ldisposed inthe slots above the bridle, .theinner endsof saidslots having reaches extending laterally therefrom Aand. in `Which the. post :is .slid- .able, thetipsr of said reaches beingcloser to .the spring :in .the Adirection the. reaches :extend than 4.to the .other spring, said housinghaving an open indentation. Von .the side thereof toward which fthe .reaches extend, the tang of .akey carried. by the ,post vbeing visible .through said indentation and being.,accessibletherethrough when .the .post

located insa-id reaches..

8. .A key holder consistingof a housingcomprising apairof parallel spacedv wallsandmeans joining the .side and inner edges .of .said Walls .to .define ,an enclosed. thin space, said housing .being elongated. in ya .direction .from the .outer .end to .the inner Yend thereof, .said walls having .a pair of .registered longitudinally extending slots, .al post. ,having .heads on both .ends thereof, .said .post 'being slidable .in .said slots, a ,pair .ciclon- .gated longitudinally .extending compression `coil .springs `withinsaid housing, .means .to .locate Ysaid springs Von opposite sides of. .said slots, a .bridle virl-,said housing, means to guidesaid bridle for .movement .longitudinally of .said housing, said ,bridle being. positioned on .the outer .ends ofsa'id .springs whereby said springs urge .the bridle toward the .outer end .of .the housing, said .outer end of thehousing being open, .said Apost being .disposed, in the slots above the bridle, theinner ends ofsaidslots having .reaches extending laterally .therefrom and in which the post .is slidable, said Yreaches extending laterally a distance not less than half `.the Width of the post and sloping back in. the .direction of .theouter end of thehousing, the tips of said reaches being .closer to .the spring .in vthe direction the reaches extend Ythan to the other spring, said housnghaving an open inden- I Cil 8 tation Hon. the .side .thereof .toward which the .reaches extend, the tangoiakey carriedby'the post being visible through `said indentation and being accessible therethrough when 'the post is .flocated in .said reaches.

;ing elongated .in .a direction .from .the outer .end

to the .inner .end thereof, .said Walls .having .a

,pair of registered longitudinally extending slots,

afp.ost,.said post -beingslidable in said.slots,.a.pair

.of .elongated vlongitudinally .extending compres.- ..sion...coi1 springs. within said housing, .channels iin rsaid housing locating saidsprings .on `opposite .sides .of saidslots, a. .bridle in saidhousing, said bridle having lelementsslidable in said channels whereby .said .bridle .is guided yfor movement `lon.-

`:gitudinally of said housing, .said bridle'being .po-

sitioned on the .outerends of.said springs. whereby said springs urge the bridle toward .the outer end ofthe housingsaidwouter.end of thehousing being open, said .post-being .disposed .in .the

slots above -the bridle, .the inner ends of .saidlslots sloping gradually .into reaches .extending vlaterallytherefrom and in which .the postis-slidable, said reaches extending laterally .a distance not 'less thanhalf the Width of. the Vpost and .slop- .ing vback .in the direction .of the outer end of the housing, the tips of said. reaches .being..closer to the spring in the direction thereachesextend than tothe other spring. saidhousing having an .open indentation .on v.the side thereof toward `which the ,reaches extend, the tang .oiakey .car-

ried bythe post being visible through saidindenftation. andA being .accessible .therethrough when therpost is located in. said reaches.

SAMUEL aerienneons CITED The following :references are .of record in `.the file-of this patent:

A VUNITED STATES `PAIlilllTS Number Name lDate .2,908,398 Mangan ...Jll1y 16 1935 2,393,373 Hendrix .Jall- 22, .19.4.6

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