US2887747A

US2887747A - Combination tie clasp and key holder

Info

Publication number: US2887747A
Application number: US685184A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer O Bellman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-09-20
Filing date: 1957-09-20
Publication date: 1959-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 1976-05-26

Description

United States Patent COMBINATION TIE CLASP AND KEY HOLDER Elmer 0. Bellman, Pomona, Calif.

Application September 20, 1957, SeriaLNo. 685,184

1 Claim. (Cl. 24-49) This invention relates to tie clasps, and more particularly to a combination tie clasp and key holder.

The main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved tie clasp which serves as a key holder, the tie clasp being simple in construction, being neat in appearance, and providing a means for supporting a key in an inconspicuous manner and assuring that the person using the clasp will have the key available whenever required.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved combination key holder and tie clasp, the combination holder and clasp being inexpensive to manufacture, being durable in construction, being easy to manipulate, and serving as a means for carrying a key in an inconspicuous and safe manner.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claim, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved combination key holder and tie clasp constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional view taken through the combination key holder and tie clasp on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view showing the manner in which the combination key holder and tie clasp is used in conjunction with the drape portion of a necktie.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the key rotated outwardly relative to the remaining portion of the tie clasp, so that it may be used.

Referring to the drawings, the combination key holder and tie clasp is designated generally at 11 and comprises a generally U-shaped body 12 of relatively still strip maerial which may have a slight amount of resiliency so as to provide improved gripping characteristics to the device. The body 12 comprises a relatively short arm 13 and a relatively long arm 14, the long arm being adapted to carry a suitable emblem 15 or other decorative object, secured thereto in any desired manner, as by welding, soldering, or the like.

Designated at 16 is a jaw member which is hingedly connected to the end of the short arm 13 at 17, as by the provision of outwardly projecting lugs on the end of the arm 13 engaged through depending marginal apertured lugs 18 provided at the intermediate portions of the opposite sides of the jaw member 16. Suitable spring means is provided to bias the jaw member 16 in a clock- Y wise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, for example, a U- shaped spring wire 20 secured in any suitable manner between the top surface of the end portion of arm 13 and the under surface of the adjacent end portion of the jaw member 16.

Designated at 21 is a key having an apertured end portion. The end portion of the key 21 is disposed beneath the end portion of the jaw member 16 and is pivotally connected thereto by an eyelet 22 extending through the apertured end portion of the key and the end portion of the jaw member 16 in the manner clearly shown in Figure 2, whereby the key 21 is secured between the end portion of jaw member 16 and the relatively long arm 14 for rotation in a plane parallel to the end portion of the jaw member 16. The spring 20 biases the jaw member 16 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, whereby the key 21 is urged against the end of the relatively long arm 14, to define a tie clasp.

In use, this clasp is engaged on the drape portion 23 of a necktie in the manner illustrated in Figure 3, with the decorated relatively long arm 14 disposed outwardly and with the key 21 hidden behind the tie and behind the hem portion of the wearers shirt to which the tie is clasped. When it is desired to use the key, the clasp is disengaged from the necktie and the key 21 is rotated to a position substantially perpendicular to the member 12, as shown in Figure 4, whereby the key may be used in its intended manner.

While a specific embodiment of an improved combination key holder and tie clasp has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A combination key and tie clasp comprising a generally U-shaped body of strip material having a relatively short first arm and a relatively long second arm, a jaw member hingedly connected to said first arm and extending adjacent said second arm, the clamping end portion of said jaw member being substantially parallel to said second arm, a key disposed adjacent and parallel to said jaw member, an eyelet extending through the clamping end portion of said jaw member and the apertured end portion of said key and pivotally connecting said key to said jaw member for rotation in a plane parallel to and between said end clamping portion of the jaw member and said second arm, and spring means biasing said key toward engagement with said second arm, whereby to define a tie clasp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,231,308 Walsh et al Feb. 11, 1941 2,600,563 Michnoff June 17, 1952 2,627,636 Brown Feb. 10, 1953 2,723,429 Boots Nov. 15, 1955 2,737,698 Falk Mar. 13, 1956