US2988836A - Key identifier - Google Patents

Description

L. OBERFIELD KEY IDENTIFIER June 20, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1959 INVENTOR. LOUIS OBERFI ELD ATT'OPA/Z'Y June 20, 1961 QBERFIELD 2,988,836

KEY IDENTIFIER Filed Feb. 16. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LOUIS OBERFIELD ATTOP/VEF INVENTOR.

United States Patent 2,988,836 KEY IDENTIFIER Louis Oberfield, 8749 21st Ave., Brooklyn 14, N.Y.

Filed Feb. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 793,645

2 Claims. (Cl. 40-330) This invention relates to a new and useful development in a key identifier. I p

More particularly, the present invention relates to a key identifier in the nature of an attachment for a cylinder lock type key now in general use. The attachment serves for quickly identifying in the dark a needed key on the 'key ring or other key holder, by means of long, narrow raised strips attached across both sides of the handle of a key.

Still further, the present invention proposes the construction of a key identifier including a strip portion positioned diagonally across and adjacent one side of the handle of the key and another strip portion posilongitudinally extending ridges disposed at both sides of the key to identify the key.

Still another object of my present invention is the provision of a novel means for removably supporting an identifier attachment upon the handle of a key so that the attachment; may be removed from the key when desired.

It is a further object of my present invention to'construct a key identifier which is simple and durable, which can be manufactured and sold at reasonable cost and which can be quickly and easily mounted upon the cylinder lock type key without the use of tools.

For further comprehension of this invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the'appende'd claims in which the various novel features of this invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is an oblique side view of a key for a cylinder type lock provided with an attached key identifier constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an oblique opposite side view of the key and identifier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a different sized key showing a key identifier on the handle.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary oblique opposite side view of the key handle and identifier of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan edgewise view of the key and identifier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank from which a key identifier is formed.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another blank for forming a key identifier.

FIG. 8 is an oblique side view of a key identifier partially formed from the blank of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an oblique side view of a key identifier in a further state of formation from that shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an oblique end view of the partially formed key identifier of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10A is a rear oblique view of the partially formed key identifier of FIGS. 8 and 10 disposed on a handle of a key.

FIG. 11 is a side oblique view of a key identifier in a further state of formation from that shown in FIG. 9, corresponding in shape to the key identifier on the key of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a side oblique view of another key identifier partially formed from the blank of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a side oblique view of a key identifier Patented June 20, 1961 1 similar to that of FIG. 11, shaped to fit a larger key lleferring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a key 16 for a cylinder type lock. The key has a flat handle '17 with two ' sides 18 and 19, and an integral shank 20 coplanar therewith. The handle 17 is formed with a round hole 21 for a key ring. The hole has an annular inner wall 22. The handle is formed at opposite edges with opposed notches or identations 23, 24 and adjacent shoulders 23 and 24 located between the handle and shank.

A key identifier 15 is shown mounted on the key and formed of a single blank piece of pliable material M shown in flat unfolded form in FIG. 6. The key identifier, 15 includes a narrow lateral strip portion 25 positioned adjacent side 18 of the key. The strip portion 25 extends diagonally across side 18 between the notch V 23 and hole 21. To releasably retain the strip portion 25 in position upon the adjacent side 18, there is provided a rear end extension 26. The extension 26 is bent at 27 at its free end to provide an extremity 29 'ofiset slightly from the plane of the extension to facilitate insertion of the extension 26 into the hole 21; see FIGS.

-' 8 and 10A. The extension 26 can be bent as indicated 26' and a forward section 30 of the strip portion. The

ridge 13 is pressed or formed outwardly on the. strip portion 25. The end of the hook 39 defines a flat finger 29 which is disposed along the side 19 of the key in a direction toward shank 20 of the key. The identifier is bent at the end of section 30 to form a strip portion 31 which engages in the notch 23 of the handle 17. The strip portion 31 is bent to form a transverse free end strip portion 32 which lies adjacent to side 19 of the key.

Strip portion 32 extends along side 19 of the key and is formed with a hook 40 at its end; see FIG. 11. The hook 40 has a flat bight 34 which engages in the notch 24. The transverse strip portion 32 includes a narrow raised or ridged portion 33 which extends longitudinally along the strip portion between bent portion 31 and bight 34. The ridged portion 33 is pressed or formed outwardly on the strip portion 32. The hook 40 terminates in a long flat finger 35 which abuts side 18 of the key in a transverse direction extending toward notch 23.

The fingers 29 and 35 can be adjusted by shortening to fit larger keys as shown at 29' and 35', respectively, While the strip portions 26 and 32 are lengthened as shown at 26' and 32, respectively, for the key identifier 15 shown in FIG. 13. If the handle of the key is small, the fingers 29" and 35" will be longer while strip portions 26" and 32 will be shorter, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for handle 17 of key 16 on which identifier 15 is mounted.

FIG. 14 shows an identifier 15 used for a key 50 without notches between its handle 17 and its shank 20 The identifier can be used similarly for all kinds of flat and plain keys. The identifier 15 is similar to identifiers 15, 15 and 15 previously described except that the strip portion 25" is provided with semicircular tabs 36 and 37 which extend laterally coplanar and intifier 15 is otherwise similar to identifiers 15, '15? and 15 and like reference numerals identify like elements in the several figures.

The keys for cylinder type locks are generally similar to each other in appearance as indicated at Kl-KS in FIG. 15. It is normally very difficult to distinguish one from the other and to identify any particular key in'the 'dark. It is also normally difficult to identify and distinguish the keys even in the light. Without theme of the'pre'sent invention, in order to identify a needed key on a key ring or other key holder in the dark, it is necessary to insert and try out all the keys in the slot of the lock in order to find the one key which opens or closes the lock. With the present inventionattached to the handle of a key such as shown by identifier 15 on key K5, the user can quickly feel with the tips of his fingers the ridged portions 13 and 33 extending diagonally and transversely across the handle 17. The user can thus identify the needed key K on ring 52. In the dark, in all kinds of weather, in rain, in sleet, with frozen fingers and even with gloves on his hands, the user can quickly identify a needed key K5 on the key ring, regardless of the similarity in shape and appearance of the other keys on the key holder 52. In the light, the user can at a glance see the identifier on the handle of the desired key in the group on the holder.

When there are a plurality such as live or more keys on a key ring or chain, as shown in FIG. 15, the key most frequently used, say for instance, the house key, which for illustration purposes is indicated K5, is provided with the identifier attachment.

'When keys amused by many persons, in the light only, such as in hotels, offices, etc., the keys canalso be quickly identified by having an identifier with the tabs 36, 37 on each key. As shown in FIG. 14, letters and/or numbers 44 may be printed on the tab to indicate use of the key for house, safe, box, numbers, etc.

Tue identifier with the tabs 36, 37 can also be used for advertising purposes, by marking the tabs with the nameof product, manufacturer, slogan, etc.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction therein described and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desirejto secure by United States Letters Patent 1. In combination, a key having a shank and a flat handle with an arcuate edge and a hole therein, and a key identification attachment, said attachment including an elongated narrow strip of self-form-maintaining manually-bendable material, said strip including two elongated portions oriented at a substantial angle to one another,'and a short twisted and slanted portion joining said two elongated portions, one of said elongated portions having a short bend adjacent its free end extending through the hole in the key and having the tip thereof pressed into engagement with one side surface of the handle, while the remainder of said one elongated portion is abutted against the other side surface of the handle, said remainder of said one elongated portion extending from said hole to a juncture of the handle and the shank, said short twisted and slanted portion engaging the key at said juncture, said other elongated portion extending transversely across the key where the handle meets the shank and toward and around the other juncture of the handle and shank.

2. A combination as set forth in claim '1 wherein the elongated portions of the key identification attachment have elongated ridges projecting therefrom in a direction away from the plane of the flat handle of the key.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,173,752 Carrington Sept. 19, 1939 2,432,498 Bloomfield Dec. 16, 1947

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