US3101762A - Key case - Google Patents

Description

g- 1963 P. D. BERMINGHAM ETAL 3,101,762

KEY CASE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 7, 1961 FIG.4

s M 6 m m N 6 mm mw v d I WHEN n F LD. E AR w M% gwm M ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1963 KEY CASE Filed Sept. '7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS MICHAEL STILLER a BYPETER D. BERMINGHAM gum gum A TTORNE Y P. D. BERMINGHAM ETAL 3,101,762

Aug. 27, 1963 P. D. BERMINGHAM ETAL 3,101,762

KEY CASE Filed Sept. 7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS MICHAEL STILLER 8 PETER D. BERMINGHAM ELJAQQM ATIORNE Y United States Patent 3,101,762 KEY CASE Peter D. Bermingham, Sufiield, and Michael St1ller, Akron, Ohio, assignors to Quikey Manufacturing Co. Inc., Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Sept. 7, 1961, Ser- No. 136,483 11 Claims. (Cl. 150-469) This invention relates to the art of key cases and in particular relates to an improved type of one-piece umtary key case that makes provision for holding two keys in opposed relationship to each other so that the same may be easily moved to operating position upon squeezing of the key case per se.

A key case of the type herein being discussed is shown in United States Letters Patent 2,313,485, issued March 9, 1943, to Benjamin Stiller.

In the above referred to United States Letters Patent, there was provided a one-piece type of key case that was of fiat oval form and that had key openings at the opposed longitudinal ends, with the thickness of the envelope vbeing sufficient to accommodate two keys in opposed sliding relationship to each other. In this fashion, and by the use of gravity and squeezing transversely of the key case, the key portion adjacent the downwardly presented opening would pass through'the opening and be ready for immediate use. Conversely, if the key case was inverted, the remaining key could pass out through the other opening when the same was positioned in the lowered form.

While key cases of this type were manufactured cominercially for a number of years and enjoyed considerable success, recent innovations with respect to the ignition locks of certain automobiles have detracted from the usefulness of such key cases in connection with such automobile ignition locks. Specifically, in this regard, certain ignition locks were modified so that the key, in order to be operated, had to be inserted in the cylinder of the ignition lock to a greater extent, with most instances of such modification involving insertion of the key to such extent that approximately one-half of the head portion was required to be inserted in the key cylinder before the same would operate.

In View of the fact that the openings provided in the above discussed United States Letters Patent 2,313,485 were shown large enough only to permit the shank portion of the key to pass therethrough, it was obvious that this type of key case could not be used unless the key was first removed from the same. Such removal of frequently used keys is, of course, not practical and for the above reason the key case of United States Letters Patent 2,313,485 became limited in use to instances wvhere modifications of the type above described were not involved.

It has been discovered, however, that the advantages of quick access can, nonetheless, be achieved by using a key case of substantially the above configuration, provided that means are incorporated between the key per se and the key case, with these means serving to permit a further amount of ejection of the key while yet firmly retaining the key with respect to the key case so as to avoid accidental detachment therebetween.

In this regard, it should be first noted that in United States Patent 2,313,485, it was possible to pull the key head through the mouth opening so as to facilitate use of this key in cylinders that require partial insertion of the key head. While such result could be achieved, the end result was disadvantageous because of the fact that when the key was extended to such a condition of abnormal projection, there was no efiicient manner of retaining the same with respect to the key case, with the result that on timely separation would occur between the key and key case in such instances.

It has been found that use of the aforesaid clip with substantially the same size mouth opening, will obviate such difliculties in view of the fact that the mouth opening of the improved key case can be formed of such size and yieldability so as to permit only restricted withdrawal of the head portion therethrough, with the key clip preventing complete separation between the key and the key case.

In such instances, it should be noted that the key per se will be supported with respect to the key case by the clip due to the fact that width of the clip prevents complete egress of the key head through the access slot under the usual operating conditions.

Production of a key case having the above features accordingly becomes the principfi object of this invention,

with other objects of the invention becoming more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification, considered and interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved key case, partly broken away and in section to show the operating construction thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal section taken on the lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken on the lines 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view, partly broken away and in section and illustrating the retaining clip in enlarged condition.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing a modified form of retaining clip.

FIGURE 6 is a view in section showing the modified retaining clip of FIGURE 5 connected to a key. 7

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified form of the invention.

' FIGURES 8 and 9 are sectional plan views showing the position of the component parts of FIGURE 7 in conditions of non use and use, respectively.

FIGURE 10 is a similar sectional plan view of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE ll is a perspective view, partly broken away and in section and showing a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the modified clip.

FIGURES 13 and '14 are sectional views taken on the lines 1313 and 14-44 of FIGURES 11 and 12 respectively.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURES 16 and 17 are views taken on the lines 16-16 and 17-17 of FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 18 is a perspective view of the retaining lug in detail.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to 'FIG- URE 1, the improved key case, generally designated by the numeral 10, is shown as being of thin, fiat configuration so as to slidably receive key members 11 and :12 that have their respective ends projecting in longitudinally opposed directions from the opposed ends of the key case 10, as clearly shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the key case 10 per se includes top and bottom Wall sections 20 and 21 that are disposed in spaced parallelism with each other'and are connected at their edges by opposed sidewalls 22 and 23, with the space between the ends of the wall portions 22. and 23 defining key receiving slots FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that the wall portions 22 and 23 are arched towards each other as at 22a and 23a, so as to define a mouth opening 24 through which the key '11 may be passed as clearly shown in FIGURE 2. In this regard, the width of the mouth opening 24 is approximately the same as the width of the head portion I la of the key ll so that the key head 11 can be passed through the opening 24 as indicated in FIG- URE 2. It is preferred that, in most instances, the mouth opening be slightly smaller than the usual ignition key of the type in question so that of said key, the head portion will be restricted in passage through said mouth opening. Additionally, and for the purpose of facilitating sliding movement of the key, the top and bottom walls 20 and 21 have their opposed faces provided with elongated raised ribs 25, 25', with these ribs 25, 25 being in opposed relationship so as to serve as elevated sliding surfaces for the keys ltl and 12 that slide thereacross in use of the device.

In addition to the aforementioned component parts, the wall surface 20 further includes a raised button-like portion 26 that serves as a finder to locate the key 12, for example. It will be noted that the key case thus described conforms substantially to the key case of the United States Letters Patent 2,313,485, with the exception that the mouth opening 24, as well as the mouth opening that is provided at the opposite end for the key 12, is wider than described in the aforementioned patent so as to permit the head of the key to be passed therethrough, as clearly shown in FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings.

For the purpose of retaining keys 11 and 12 with respect to the key case 10, while permitting ejection thereof to the condition shown in FIGURE 1, there is provided one or more retaining clips, each of which is identical so as to be generally indicated by the numeral 30, with the detailed construction of the retaining clip 38 being best shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings.

Accordingly, and referring to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that each retaining clip 30 includes opposed top and bottom wall portions 31 and 32 that are interconnected at their longitudinal ends by end walls 33 and 34 and are further interconnected at their back edge by a rear wall 35, with the just described component members connecting together to form an envelope type of clip 3i} that is designed to be received over the key head, as clearly shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings. In this regard, the dimensions of the clip 30 are preferably slightly larger than that of the key head 11a that will be secured with respect to the same, with this condition being shown in FIGURE 3 where the space between the top and bottom walls 31 and 32 is slightly greater than the thickness of the key head 11a that is secured therebetween. Also, and again as shown in FIGURE 2, the width of clip 30 (referring to the distance between the walls 33 and 34) is also slightly greater than the width of the key head 11a, with the width dimension of the clip 30 serving to prevent the assembled key and clip from passing through the opening 24 as clearly shown in FIGURE 2.

[For the purpose of permitting quick attachment to the key, as will be described, each clip 30 is provided with opposed inclined blocks 36 and 37, with block 36 tapering upwardly from bottom wall 32, while inclined block 37 tapers downwardly from top wall 31, as clearly shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. In this fashion, the projecting ends of the blocks are disposed in opposed relationship to each other so as to restrict the entry of the key into the interior of the clip 30. It is believed apparent, however, that the use of the inclined surfaces on the blocks 36 and 37 will permit the same to be used for the purpose of spreading apart the top and bottom wall members 31 and 32, with the result that the key may be passed between the opening 38 (FIGURE 3) whereupon the hole 11b thereof will snap over the straight ends 37a and 37b of the blocks to thus cause the key to be firmly fixed with respect to the clip member 30, with this locked condition 4. between key and clip being shown best in FIGURES l, 2 and 3 of the drawings.

In use or operation of the improved key case, the user merely snaps the retaining clip 30 over the head of the key so that the blocks 36 and 37 have their upper portions received in the key hole 11b to thus retain the key in place with respect to the clip member 30. When thus assembled, it is merely necessary that this sub-combination of key and clip be forced through the opening 24 and it will be noted that the prefererd form of the invention illustrates that the rear corners 30a and 30b of clip 30 are rounded to facilitate such entrance through the opening 24, for example. When the key and clip have been inserted as shown in FIGURE 2, it is believed apparent that the key and clip will slide freely in the key case 10 with the key shank normally falling through the mouth opening when the key case is properly squeezed and with the head portion of the key normally not passing through the mouth opening. When it is desired to have maximum projection of the key, the head portion thereof may be partially passed through the opening 24 by manual withdrawal pressure, with complete separation between key and case being prevented by virtue of the engagement between the front edge of the clip member 30 and the interior wall surface of the inwardly curving portions 22a and 23a.

With regard to key '12, FIGURE 2 shows that this key does not employ a clip because of the fact that head projection is not required for key 12 as in the case of key 11. Thus, it is shown that one clip, two clips, or no clips at all can be employed with the same key case dependent solely on the users requirements.

Thus, the advantages of a fuller key projection are achieved without loss of the advantages of quick and handy operation that were present in the United States Letters Patent 2,313,485.

With regard to the materials employed in connection with the improved key case, it is preferred that the key case per se be made of one-piece unitary construction and the key case can, if desired, be made by molding, as disclosed in United States Letters Patent 2,313,485. Also, the key case per se can be made by dipping and can be conveniently made of polyvinyl chloride or other similar plastic material. With regard to the material employed in connection with the retaining clip 30, it is preferred that the same be of a high strength thin type of molded plastic, such as nylon, polypropylene, or Delrin and that the same be made to the configuration shown by the use of conventional molding techniques.

From the standpoint of dimensions, the key case per se, while thin, preferably has a thickness dimension sufficient to accommodate two keys plus two clips in sliding relationship, and as the drawings indicate, the clip members are relatively thin so as to avoid the necessity of increasing the thickness of the overall key case.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 is merely intended to prevent relative rotation between the key and the retaining clip, and to this end, the key clip 50 shown therein is of the exact identical configuration to that previously illustrated, with the exception that the back wall 35 thereof includes projecting resilient pin members 51 and 52 that serve to engage the shoulder portions and 11d respectively, as shown in FIGURE 6, with such engagement preventing rotation of the key 11 around the inclined blocks 36 and 37 between which the key is secured.

Operation of the modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 is identical to that described above in connection with FIGURES 1 through 4.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 envisions the use of a modified clip 70 that serves to operatively connect the key 11 with a modified form of key case 71. In this regard, and referring first 'lhe trademark of an acrylic plastic resin manufactured by E. I. du Pont de Nemours Inc.

to FIGURE 7, the retaining clip 70 is shown as being of one-piece construction and is bent and folded upon itself to the outline configuration shown.

Thus, the same includes opposed Walls 72 and 73 having respectively connected thereto tapering wall portions 74 and 75 that extend towards each other to form parallel aim members 76 and 77, with these arm members 76 and 77 terminating in a loop 78 through which a pin 79 may be received, with pin 79 passing through key hole 11b and entering socket 80 so as to firmly connect the key 11 with respect to the clip 70. It will be noted in this regard that the opposed sidewalls 72 and 73 have preferably arched ends 72a and 73a, with these endsserving to facilitate ingress and egress of the retaining unit 70 with respect to the key case 71 and also facilitating free sliding against the body wall. Also, and for the purpose of avoiding increase in thickness, the arms 7 6 and 77 as well as the loop 78 are shown as preferably being of less thickness than the arms 74 and 75, with it being preferred in this regard that the height dimension of the arm 74, for example, be substantially equivalent to the height of the arm 76 plus the thickness of the key '11. In this fashion, the overall height of the unit will not be materially affected by the use of the retaining clip 70, which is preferably of spring steel in the form of the invention disclosed herein.

As before, the key case 71 is of [the same configuration previously shown and described in connection with FIG- URES 1-6, and accordingly no redescription is deemed appropriate at this point. It should however be noted that the side arms 72 and 73 of the clip 70 are disposed adjacent the side walls in slightly spaced relationship. This permits guiding movement to be achieved while still permitting free sliding during the period the side walls are collapsed during squeezing for key ejection purposes.

In this regard, and referring to FIGURE 8, the key 11 is shown fully within the key case 71 and in FIGURE 9 the same has been fully ejected through mouth opening 86 so that substantially all of the head portion thereof is available for injection into the key cylinder. Again in this modified form of the invention, it is preferred that the key case be of resilient material, such as molded rubber or plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride, while the retaining clip 70 is preferably of a spring steel type of construction.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE is similar to that of FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 in that it envisions the use of a spring steel type of retaining clip 90 in connection with a standard key case of the type shown in FIGURES 1 through 6, inclusive. In this regard, and referring to FIGURE 10, it will be noted that the clip S0 is shown as including a small loop portion 91 that may be snapped around a peg that is inserted in the opening of the key. Divergent arcuate segments 92 and 93 extend in opposed relationship from the loop 91 for approximate sliding engagement with the sidewalls of the key case, as clearly shown in FIGURE 10, with these arcuate segments terminating in ends 92a and 93a, whereby the clip unit 90 may be compressed in Width for insertion in the mouth opening 24, while the normal separation from the key case will be prevented by the relatively great overall width of the clip 90.

Operation of the device described above is substantially identical to that described in connection with FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, with the key popping out of the opening 24 when [the clamping pressure is relieved between the clip 90 and the walls of the key case.

In the forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 6, the key-retaining clip member has been substantially positioned internally of the key case with the result that the user, to effectuate operation of the same, must first separate the clip from the case whereupon the key may be attached to the clip followed by reinsertion of the assembled key and clip. 1

In the modified form of the invention shown in FIG- URES 11-14 inclusively, provision is made for attaching the key to the clip while the clip is housed internally within the key-case with the attaching portion of the clip being arranged to project beyond the key case for this purpose as will now be described.

Accordingly, and referring to FIGURE 11, it will be noted that the assembled clip 100 is of generally flat triangular configuration so as to have its folded apex por-- tion beyond the mouth opening of the key case 101 when the key 102 is fully withdrawn as shown in FIGURE 11. In this regard, it should be first noted that the key case 161 is of the same type shown and illustrated in connection with FIGURES 1-6 inclusively and accordingly the same will not be redescribed in connection with this modified form of the invention.

With reference, however to the modified clip 100, attention is first directed to FIGURE 12, wherein it is shown that the modified clip com-prises a fiat unitary sheet of generally diamond-shaped configuration in plan, with triangular body segments 111 and 112 being intended to be folded into parallel overlapped relationship with each other for the purpose of retaining a key therebetween as clearly shown in FIGURES l1 and 13.

To this end, and referring to FIGURES 12 and 14, it will first be noted that the sheet 110 has fold notches 114 and 115 provided on the face 110a thereof so that sections 111 and 112 may be folded around such hinges into parellelism with each other as illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 13 and as further illustrated in chain-dotted lines in FIGURE 14. Wedge blocks 116 and 117 areprovided on the face 110!) as shown so as to provide anti-rotation means for limiting key rotation when the unit is assembled asshown in FIGURES 11 and 13.

Additionally, and for the purpose of facilitating a snap engagement of the type required to retain the segments 111 and 112 in parellel as shown, the segment 111 has a male plug element 120 while a hollow socket 121 is carried by the segment 112 as clearly shown in FIGURE 12. The plug 120, as best shown in FIGURE 14, includes a double charnfered or tapered edge 125 that, because of its solidity, will ernbed itself in the wall of the socket of plug 121 upon telescopic insertion therein as clearly shown in FIGURE 13. In this regard, this self-locking arrangement is a characteristic of the polypropylene plastic used in connection with the preferred material of this invention, and accordingly the thin wall of the socket 121 may be temporarily deformed during insertion of edge 125 to thus effectuate automatic locking.

In use or operation of the modified form of the inven- 1 tion, the clip 100 is first folded about the hinges defined by the notches 114 and 115 so as to assume the overlapped condition shown in FIGURE 11. At this time a key may be attached by merely sliding the opening thereof over the socket 121 whereupon the plug 120 can be snapped into telescoped conditioned within, the socket 121 to thus generally retain the key in place. Following this the assembly of key and clip can be inserted through the mouth opening of key case 100.

Operation of the device will be as previously described with it being noted that a key may be changed readily by merely withdrawing the key to extend position folded by spreading of the telescoped members 120 and 121.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIG- URES 15 through 18 inclusive, envisions the use of means that permit extended projection of the key per se relatively of the key case, but which are characterized by the fact that there is no mechanical interconnection between the key and the key retaining means as has previously been the casein connection with FIGURES 1 through 14 inclusive.

Additionally, the improvement of FIGURES 15 through,

Accordingly, and referring to FIGURE 15, it will be noted that the key case 150 employed herein is of the type heretofore described, with such case being provided with a sliding-board type of clip retaining means that is generally designated by the numeral 151. The means 151 are shown as being of thin, flat outline as shown best in FIGURE of the drawings, and with the outline contour of the means 151 corresponding substantially to the internal cross-sectional dimensions of the key case 150.

To this end, the key retaining means 151 are shown of being generally I-shaped outline in plan so as to include a central flat section 161 that is connected at its opposed longitudinal ends to end segments 162a, and 162 respectively, with the end section 162a being disposed adjacent the mouth opening 15% while the end section 162 is disposed in adjacency with the mouth opening 150a as clearly shown in FIGURE 15 of the drawings.

For the purpose of description, the unit 151 will be considered as having opposed faces 151a and 1511) with key 163 being positioned to be flatly received on surface 151a in sliding relationship therewith, while key 164 is similarly intended to slide across surface 151b as will now be described.

To the end of retaining the keys in position with respect to key case 150, the end portion 162 has a transverse flange 165 that serves to limit the inward movement of the key 164 with flange 165 projecting from surface 151!) as clearly shown in FIGURES 15, 16 and 17 of the drawings. Similarly, a transverse flange 166 is shown projecting from the face 151a at the edge of end portion 162a with this flange similarly limiting movement of key 163. Additionally and as shown in FIGURES 15, 16, and 17, the surface 151a is provided with a guide block 170 while a similar guide block 171 is provided on the surface 151b in the region of the enlarged end portion 162a (see FIGURE 16).

As will be noted from the perspective view of FIGURE 18, the guide unit 170 includes a vertical edge surface 172 that serves as the apex of converging side walls 173 and 174 (see FIGURE 17). While such an arrangement would provide basically a V-shaped block, a tapering frontal surface 175 has been provided so that the key unit may be slid over the same as will be described.

Thus, and referring to FIGURE 17 when the key 163 is moved to the right, the end portion 163a thereof will engage with one or the other of the inclined surfaces 173 or 174 and will be guided around the guide unit 170..

However, when the head portion of the key approaches the same, the key head will ride up over the top portion of edge 172 while the sides of the head will be guided by the mouth so that the opening 1631) of the key will snap over the block 170 as shown in FIGURE 16 of the drawings. Thus, the key will be fixed against further separation but will have been separated to extent shown in FIGURE 16, wherein a substantial portion of the head is projecting beyond the end of the key case 1513.

To return the key it is merely necessary to push the same inwardly of the case, and referring to FIGURE 16, it will be noted that the wall of the hole in the key head will slide up the inclined surface 175 to the chain-dotted line position of FIGURE 16 whereupon the key will be returned to enveloped condition following further pushing to the portion of FIGURE 15.

In practice, it has been further desirable to make the sliding-board insert 151 of thin plastic material having a thickness in the neighborhood of .010 inch. As a result of this minimal thickness, it is believed manifest that overall thickness of the unit will not be materially increased.

Accordingly, modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A key case of the character described, comprising; a hollow resilient body of thin generally fiat configuration; said body including opposed elongate top and bottom walls and opposed elongate side walls; said top and bottom walls being integrally connected to said side walls along the longitudinal edges thereof and defining an elongated shallow cavity within which a key may be received; said body having at least one key receiving opening disposed in longitudinal alignment with one longitudinal end of said elongate cavity; said opening having a height dimension approximating the thickness dimension of said key and further having a width dimension that is slightly smaller than the width dimension of the head portion of said key with said opening being yieldable to permit the head of said key to pass therethrough; and retaining means mechanically interconnecting said key with said body; said retaining means permitting slidable passage of a substantial portion of said head portion through said opening towards projecting position while normally preventing complete removal of said key through said opening.

2. A key case of the character described, comprising; a hollow resilient body of thin generally flat configuration; said body including opposed elongate top and bottom walls and opposed elongate side walls; said top and bottom walls being integrally connected to said side walls along the longitudinal edges thereof and defining an elongated shallow cavity within which a key may be received; said body having a key receiving opening disposed in longitudinal alignment with one longitudinal end of said elongate cavity; said opening having a height dimension approximating the thickness dimension of said key and further having a width dimension that is slightly smaller than the width dimension of the head portion of said key with said opening being yield-able to permit the head of said key to pass therethrough; and retaining means for mechanically interconnecting said key with said body during the period that substantially half of the head portion of said key is slidably projected exteriorly of said opening.

3. A key case of the character described, comprising; a hollow resilient body of thin generally fiat configuration; said body including opposed elongate top and bottom walls and opposed elongate side walls; said top and bottom walls being integrally connected to said side walls along the longitudinal edges thereof and defining an elongated shallow cavity within which a key may be received; said body having a key receiving opening disposed in longitudinal alignment with one longitudinal end of said elongate cavity; said opening having a height dimension approximating the thickness dimension of said key and further having a width dimension that is slightly smaller than the width dimension of the head portion of said key with said opening being yieldable to permit the head of said key to pass therethrough; and thin clip means disposed within said cavity adapted to releasably connect with said key; said clip having a width greater than the width of the head of said key and said opening whereby said clip restricts the amount of longitudinal projection of said key through said opening.

4. A key case of the character described, comprising; a hollow resilient body of thin generally flat configuration and having an elongated shallow cavity within which a key may be received; said body having a key receiving opening disposed in longitudinal alignment with one longitudinal end of said elongate cavity; said opening having a height dimension approximating the thickness dimension of said key and further having a width dimension that is sufficient enough to permit the head portion of said key to normally pass therethrough; and an envelope shaped clip member releaseably secured to the opening of said key and enveloping a substantial end portion of the head end of said key; said clip having a Width dimension that is greater than the width dimension of said key and said opening.

5. The device of claim 4 further characterized by the presence of opposed inclined blocks that restrict the mouth opening of said envelope shaped clip member; said blocks being partially received in the opening of said key when said key is connected to said clip.

6. The device of claim 5 further characterized by the presence of means for minimizing rotation of said clip relatively of said key while in engaged relationship therewith.

7. The device of claim 6 further characterized by the fact that said means include transversely spaced resilient pin members that project from an interior Wall surface of said clip member for engagement with opposed edge surfaces of the head portion of said key.

8. A retaining clip for attachment to a key head having an opening, comprising; an envelope shaped body of thin Walled construction and having a mouth opening that permits said 'body to envelop an end portion of said key head; and opposed blocks projecting towards each other from opposed faces of said body and restricting access to said mouth opening; said opposed blocks being ll) positioned for engagement with the wall of the said opening when said body is in enveloping relationship with said key head, whereby said blocks releasably secure said clip to said key head.

9. The device of claim 8 further characterized by the fact that said blocks include opposed inclined surfaces; said surfaces spreading said block's 'apant during insertion of said key head through said mouth opening.

10. The device of claim 8 further characterized by the presence of means for minimizing relative rotation between said clip and said key head during the period said blocks are in engagement with said wall of said opening.

11. The device of claim 10 further characterized by the fact that said means include transversely spaced resilient pin members that project from an interior wall surfiace of said clip for engagement with opposed edge surfaces of the head portion of said key.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,313,485 Stiller Mar. 9, 1943 2,564,382 Stawsky Aug. 14, 1951 2,640,347 Majeski June 2, 1953 2,687,756 Felt Aug. 31, 1954 2,800,941 Leddy July 30, 1957 2,912,030 Stiller Nov. 10, 1959

Claims (1)

1. A KEY CASE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING: A HOLLOW RESILIENT BODY OF THIN GENERALLY FLAT CONFIGURATION; SAID BODY INCLUDING OPPOSITE ELONGATE TOP AND BOTOM WALLS AND OPPOSED ELONGATED SIDE WALLS; SAID TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS BEING INTEGRALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SIDE WALLS ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES THEREOF AND DEFINING AN ELONGATED SHALLOW CAVITY WITHIN WHICH A KEY MAY BE RECEIVED; SAID BODY HAVING AT LEAST ON KEY RECEIVING OPENING DISPOSED IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH ONE LONGITUDINAL END OF SAID ELONGATE CAVITY; SAID OPENING HAVING A HEIGHT DIMENSION APPROXIMATING THE THICKNESS DIMENSION OF SAID KEY AND FURTHER HAVING A WIDTH DIMENSION THAT IS SLIGHTLY SMALLER THAN THE WIDTH DIMENSION OF THE HEAD PORTION OF SAID KEY WITH SAID OPENING BEING YIELDABLE TO PERMIT THE HEAD OF SAID KEY TO PASS THERETHROUGH; AND RETAINING MEANS MECHANICALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID KEY WITH SAID BODY; AND RETAINING MEANS PERMITTING SLIDABLE PASSAGE OF A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF SAID HEAD PORTION THROUGH SAID OPENING TOWARDS PROJECTING POSITION WHILE NORMALLY PREVENTING COMPLETE REMOVAL OF SAID KEY THROUGH SAID OPENING.

Images