US3224480A

US3224480A - Device for retaining articles therein

Info

Publication number: US3224480A
Application number: US310747A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Joseph O Burman
Original assignee: Progressive Machinery Corp
Current assignee: Progressive Machinery Corp
Priority date: 1963-09-23
Filing date: 1963-09-23
Publication date: 1965-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-21

Description

Dec. 21, 1965 J. o. BURMAN, JR 3,224,480

DEVICE FOR RETAINING ARTICLES THEREIN Filed Sept. 23, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. J05 29%; 0. Ezarwmgc/F:

3,224 N JR o. BURM Dec. 21 ICE FOR RETAINING ARTICLES THERE DEV heet 2 2 Sheet 5 F-led Sept 23, 1965 75 a? TOR M7 INVE Jr Jase/6% a zurmailv 57- W WM United States Patent 3,224,480 DEVICE FOR RETAINING ARTICLES THEREIN Joseph 0. Barman, J12, Attleboro, Mass., assignor to Progressive Machinery Corp, Attleboro, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Sept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,747 Claims. (Cl. 150-40) The present invention relates to a device for retaining articles therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a key case construction wherein similarly formed shell-like cover sections are located in hinged relation with respect to each other by means of a preassembled plate assembly that includes hingedly connected plates that are secured to the cover sections.

As will be described hereinafter, the present invention has particular application as a key case construction. However, it will be understood from the following description that the device embodied herein may also be utilized for retaining a variety of articles therein. In the usual form of an article holder such as a key case known heretofore, cover sections of identical size and shape were usually drawn in a shell-like configuration and were hingedly connected together by some form of hinge structure. The hinge structure was normally formed as an integral part of each of the shell sections. Since some form of a latch construction is required in article retaining devices of this type, the latch means was also formed as part of each of the shell sections or was joined thereto in some suitable fashion. If the device was to be used as a key case, key retaining means in these prior known constructions were secured directly to one of the shell sections by any suitable means, such as rivets or the like.

The present invention defines a unique departure from the containers and case constructions known heretofore for retaining keys and other similar articles therein. In the fabrication of the device of the present invention, substantially identical shell sections are also formed by any suitable process, such as the drawing technique. However, in the present invention the shell sections are not directly attached to each other as in the prior known devices. A plate assembly that is individually formed and assembled is provided and includes a first plate that is adapted to be secured within one of the shell sections and a second plate that is adapted to be secured within the other shell section. The plates are secured in the shell sections by tabs that are struck out of the material from which the shell sections are formed, the tabs being inserted through suitable slots or openings that are formed in the plates. Prior to the securing of the plates within the shell sections, they are hingedly connected together, so that when they are secured within their respective shell sections, the shell sections are disposed in hinged relation with respect to each other.

The preassembled plate assembly of the present invention further includes latch members that are formed as an integral part thereof and cooperate to retain the shell sections in the closed position thereof. In the key case construction as will be described, a key retaining unit is also formed as part of one of the plates and is preassembled in the plate assembly prior to the insertion of the plate assembly into engagement with the shell sections.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for retaining articles therein that includes a preassembled plate assembly that is secured to separable sections for locating the sections in hinged relation with respect to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key case construction wherein a key retaining unit, latch means and hinge means are all formed as a unitary construction and are preassembled for securement to the shells of the key case.

3,224,480 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 'ice Still another object is to provide an article retaining case that includes opposed sections, each of which has an integral plate joined thereto, the plates including as a part thereof the hinge means, the latch means, and the key retaining means.

Still another object is to provide a preassembled plate assembly that is joined to opposed sections of an article holding case wherein the plate assembly is secured to the opposed sections by tabs that are struck from the material from which the sections are fabricated.

Still another object is to provide a device for retaining articles therein that includes a pair of opposed sections of similar size and configuration to which are joined plates, the plates being hingedly interconnected for hingedly joining said sections in hinged relation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention;

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the key case construction embodied herein as it appears in the open position thereof and prior to the placing of liners therein;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the key case illustrated in FIG. 1 in the closed position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the key case construction shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating the projecting latch member;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the closed key case construction illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view with parts shown in section of the lock element formed as part of the key retaining unit;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view with parts shown in section of the preassembled plate assembly as it appears in the open position and including the assembly therewith of the lock element illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational View of the open plate assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the plate assembly illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of one of the shell-like cover sections of the key case construction;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the other shell-like cover section of the key case construction;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines 1111 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 1212 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 13 is a view of one of the key holders for use in the key construction and showing the open position thereof for receiving a key thereon.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the key case embodied in the present invention is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. As shown in FIG; 1, the key case construction 10 is in the open position thereof but would normally be. retained in the closed position thereof as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Although the device illustrated in the drawings and as will be described herein has particular application for use as a key case, it will be understood that the concept of the invention may be incorporated in devices for carrying articles other than keys. With reference further to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the assembled position of the key case construction 10, as shown, does not include the usual decorative liners that would normally be incorporated therein. It is understood that such liners will be inserted into the cover sections of the key case and may take any desired form and appearance.

The key case construction 10 includes a pair of shelllike cover sections generally indicated at 12and 14 which,

as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, have substantially the same shape and configuration. Both the

cover sections

12 and 14 may be formed in any suitable manner but are preferably fabricated by the well-known drawing procedure and, as shown in FIG. 10, the cover section 12 includes a body portion 16 to which marginal walls 18 are integrally joined. The marginal walls 18 circumscribe the body portion 16 to form the shell configuration therewith, one of the elongated side marginal walls having a recess 20 formed therein for receiving a latch member as will hereinafter be described. A recess 21 is also formed in an end marginal wall of the cover section 12 and is adapted to receive a channel-shaped reinforcing rim as will be described below. Struck out from the body portion 16 of the shell-like cover section 12 are a plurality of spaced

tabs

22, 24 and 26, the tabs forming corresponding slots 28', 30 and 32 in the body portion 16. As shown in FIG. 10, the

tabs

22, 24 and 26 are located in upstanding relation but, as will be described, these tabs are adapted to be bent over for securing a plate of a plate assembly within the cover section 12.

The shell-like cover section 14 is formed substantially identical to the cover section 12 and also includes a body portion 34 to which marginal walls 36 are integrally joined. Formed in the body portion 34 of the cover section 14 and struck out therefrom are

tabs

38, 40 and 42. These tabs are similar in construction to

tabs

22, 24 26 and, as shown in FIG. 9, form

corresponding slots

44, 46, 47 in the body portion 34. The

tabs

38, 40, 42 are also shown in FIG. 9 in the upstanding position but are adapted to be bent over for securing a plate within the cover section 14, as will hereinafter be described. A recess 49 is formed in an end margin of the cover section 14 and is also adapted to receive a channel-shaped reinforcing rim to be described below.

Contrary to the formation and fabrication of the heretofore known key cases of the general type of the present invention, the

cover sections

12 and 14 are not provided with hinge means thereon. The

cover sections

12, 14 furthermore do not have any latch structure nor any means for retaining keys therein as initially constructed. The hinge assembly, the latch means and the key retailiing unit are all formed in a separate unitary construction apart from the cover sections and are included as part of a plate assembly generally indicated at 48. As shown in FIG. 6, the plate assembly 48 includes a plate 50 on one edge of which a latch member 52 is joined by means of a reduced extension 54. The latch member 52 is formed with a flange 56 which is adapted to receive in latched relation a corresponding latch element for securing the cover sections in closed position as will be described below. Referring to FIG. 8, a shortened inclined wall 58 is shown joined to the plate 50 on the side opposite the latch member 52, hinge knuckles 60 being integrally joined to the inclined wall 58. The hinge knuckles 60 form part of a hinge construction that is adapted to connect the

cover sections

12 and 14 in hinged relation.

Also formed as part of the plate assembly 48 is a plate 62 which is adapted to be secured within the shell-like cover section 14. The plate 62 includes a latch element 64 that extends outwardly and upwardly of the outer edge of the plate 62 and is joined thereto by a reduced extension 66. As will be described hereinafter, the latch element 64 is formed with a lip that is adapted to engage the flange 56 of the latch member 52 for latching the cover sections in the closed position thereof. In order to pivotally interconnect the plates 50 and 6 2, a shortened inclined wall 68 is provided that is integrally joined to the body portion 62 and to which hinge knuckles 70 are integrally joined. The

hinge knuckles

60 and 70 cooperate to receive a hinge pin 72 therethrough, which, as shown in FIG. 8, pivotally connects the plates 50, 62 in hinged relation. As further shown in FIG. 6, the pin 72 includes outwardly extending

bent end portions

74 and 76 that bear against the outer surfaces of the plates 50, 62, re-

spectively, and thereby act as spring means for normally retaining the plate assembly 48 in the open position thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The plate 62 of the plate assembly 48 is further formed with an upwardly projecting end portion that defines a reinforcing rim 78, the rim 78 being channel-shaped in configuration. The rim 78 is proportioned for fitting in the recess 49 and receives the adjacent portion of the marginal wall of the cover section 14 for aiding in the securement of the plate 62 to the cover section 14. The plate 50 further includes a key retaining unit generally indicated at 75 that includes an extension 80 integrally joined to the plate 50 and to which an arched portion 82 is integrally connected. Extending through the arched portion 82 is spaced relation are a plurality of slots 84, while circular type grooves 86 are also formed in the arched portion 82 at the topmost end thereof, each circular groove 86 communicating with a slot 84. This construction is well known in the key cases of this type and is used for locking a key retaining member having an enlarged head in the key retaining unit 75. A reinforcing rim 88 joined directly to the arched portion 82 is proportioned for fitting into the recess 21 andis provided with a channel configuration for receiving the upper edge of the adjacent portion of the marginal wall 18 of the cover section 12.

The key retaining unit 75 is completed by a lock element generally indicated at 90 which, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a plate 92, on the outer end of which a curved overlapping hook 94 is formed and on the inner end of which an elongated spring finger 96 is formed. Joined to the plate 92 is an enlarged arched portion 98 in which spaced openings 100 are formed. The arched portion 98 is slightly smaller than the arched portion 82 and interfits therein in telescoping relation. In the normal position of the key retaining unit 75, the openings 100 and the slots 84 are located in aligned relation. However, the portions between openings 100 cover the grooves 86 and thus restrict passage of a key retaining. member therethrough. The bent-over hook 94 overlies the extension 80 of the plate 50 and limits movement of the lock element 90 to the right as seen in FIG. 1. Since the spring finger 96 projects behind the latch member 52 as shown in FIG. 1, the lock element 90 is normally retained in the position illustrated in FIG. 12 and is biased against the action of the spring finger 96 when it is moved to the open position illustrated in FIG. 11. For the purpose of manually urging lock element 90 to the open position of the key retaining unit during a key securing or releasing operation, an upwardly projecting tab 102 is provided and is located at the end of the extension 92, which, as will be described, positions the tab 102 adjacent a marginal edge of the cover section 12 for ready access thereto.

The basic concept of the key retaining unit 75 per se is well known in the art and utilizes a plurality of key retaining members 107, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 13. The key retaining members 107 are formed of spring material and are provided with an enlarged end portion 109 that cooperates to define a generally spherical end. The remaining portion of the retaining member 107 has a looped configuration for receiving a key thereon. The spherical end of the key retaining member is adapted to be inserted through a groove 86 of the arched portion 82 and can be inserted through the groove 86 when the enlarged openings 100 in the lock element 90 are aligned with the grooves 86. In order to align the openings 100 with the grooves 86, the tab 102 is forced to the left as seen in FIGS. 6, 11 and 12 against the action of the spring finger 96, carrying the lock element 90 therewith. As shown in FIG. 11, when the openings 100 and the grooves 86 are aligned, the key retaining members 107 may be removed from the assembly or inserted therein as desired.

In order to secure the plate assembly 48 in position and to locate the

cover sections

12 and 14 in pivotal relation with respect to each other, the plates 50 and 62 aresecured within the

cover sections

12 and 14, respectively. The plate assembly 48 is located such that the

inclined extensions

58 and 68 are disposed in overlying relation with respect to adjacent

marginal walls

18 and 36 of the

cover sections

12 and 14. The hinge axis of the plate assembly 48 is thus disposed directly over these adjacent

marginal walls

18 and 36. The

slots

104, 106 and 108 are then aligned with the

tabs

22, 24 and 26 of the cover section 12 to secure the plate 50 therein. The

tabs

22, 24, 26 are bent over to the position illustrated in FIG. 1 to firmly lock the plate 50 in position. The channel-shaped reinforcing rim 88 is also secured to the cover section 12 by properly locating the rim 88 in the recess 21 and locking the rim around the edge of the adjacent marginal wall. The plate 62 is locked within the cover section 14 similarly to that described in connection with plate 50, the

tabs

38, 40 and 42 extending through the aligned

slots

110, 112 and 114, respectively. The

tabs

38, 40 and 42 are then folded in overlapping relation with respect to the adjacent surfaces of the plate 62, and the channel-shaped reinforcing rim 78 is clamped into engaging relation with the adjacent marginal wall 36 of the cover section 14. In the assembled position of the plate assembly 48, the latch member 52 is disposed within the recess 20 of the cover section 12. The latch element 64 is located within the cover section 14 such that when the cover sections are disposed in opposed relation, the latch element 64 with the inturned lip engages the flanges 56 of the latch member 52 to lock the cover sections in a closed position. It is apparent that the cover sections are moved to the closed position thereof against the action of the spring ends 74, 76. When the key case is located in the closed position thereof and the latch member 52 is depressed, the spring ends 74, 76 will act to spring the cover members to the open position thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1. In the insertion or release of a key from the key retaining means, it is only necessary to depress the tab 102 to the left as seen in FIG. 1 to align the openings 100 with the grooves 86. As described and as illustrated in FIG. 11, the key retaining members 107 are then free for withdrawal from the assembled position or insertion to the assembled position thereof.

It is seen that the key case construction described hereinabove is unique in that the assembly is carried out by the securement of the plate assembly 48 within the

cover sections

12 and 14. Since the plate assembly 48 is a preassembled unit, the assembly therewith to the

cover sections

12 and 14 can be carried out with relative economy and ease of performance. The tabs as struck or punched out of the cover sections effectively retain the plate assembly 48 in engagement with the cover sections and further reduce the steps required for carrying out the assembly of the key case construction. It is further understood that both cover

sections

12 and 14 may be provided with an outer covering material, such as leather, simulated leather, plastic or the like, to further increase the ornamental characteristics of the device. The interior of the cover sections may also be provided with the usual ornamental linings or other detail that is employed in devices of this type.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a key case construction, a first cover section defined by a body portion to which marginal walls are joined, a second cover section similar to that of said first cover section and including a body portion to which marginal walls are joined, tabs struck out from the body portions of said cover sections, a plate assembly formed as a unit and including a first plate that is secured within one of said cover sections by the tabs therein, and a second plate that is hingedly connected to said first plate and that is secured within the other of said cover sections by the tabs located therein, said first plate including a latch element and said second plate including a latch member that cooperates with said latch element to lock said cover sections in a closed position, said second plate having key retaining means associated therewith that retains keys thereon, said keys being located within said cover sections when they are latched in the closed position thereof.

2. In a key case construction, a pair of shells of similar size and configuration, each of said shells being formed with a body portion that is bounded by marginal edges, a first plate secured within one of said shells and having a latch member formed as an integral part thereof, a second plate secured within the other of said shells and having a latch element formed as an integral part thereof, each of said plates having spaced hinge knuckles formed on an edge thereof and located in adjacent relation to an inner marignal edge of the associated shell, a hinge pin extending through said hinge knuckles for hingedly interconnecting said plates, wherein said shells are located in hinged relation with respect to each other, and key retaining means associated with one of said plates for retaining keys thereon.

3. In a key case construction as set forth in claim 2, each of said shells being formed of a metallic material and having spaced tabs stamped out of the body portion thereof that extend interiorly thereof, each of said plates including spaced slots that are aligned with the tabs formed in said shells for receiving said tabs therein, said tabs being located in folded overlying relation with respect to the edges of the slots through which they extend for securing said plates within said shells.

4. In a key case construction as set forth in claim 2, said latch element and said latch member being located adjacent an outer marginal edge of the shell in which their respective plates are secured, said latch member being exteriorly exposed for engagement in order to release the shells from the latched position thereof.

5. In a device for retaining articles therein, a first cover section formed in a shell-like configuration, a second cover section formed in a shell-like configuration that is substantially identical to that of said first cover section, a plate assembly including a first plate secured within one of said cover sections and a second plate hingedly connected to said first plate and secured within the other of said cover sections, an article retaining construction joined to one of said plates, latch means joined directly to each of said plates for locating said cover sections is a closed position, and tabs struck out of the material from which said cover sections are formed, said tabs engaging said plates for securing them to their respective cover sections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,598,991 9/1926 Strauss 46 X 2,228,726 l/1941 Loesch 20637 2,849,044 8/1958 Reitzel 15040 3,067,793 12/1962 Oollings ISO-40 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.