US3318354A

US3318354A - Key cases

Info

Publication number: US3318354A
Authority: US
Inventors: Borisof Bernard
Original assignee: Lectro-Stik Co
Current assignee: Lectro-Stik Co
Priority date: 1965-08-04
Filing date: 1965-08-04
Publication date: 1967-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 1984-05-09

Description

B. BORiSOF KEY CASES May 9,, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1965 IN vE/vrpk Bernard B01257 y 1967 B. BORISOF 3,318,354

KEY CASES Filed Aug. 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 4 28% 7 fici INVENTOQ El? 11'). 3 Bernard Bar-1'57 FIG 7 Gizfys Q 422 4 MY/640% United States Patent 3,318,354 KEY CASES Bernard Borisof, Chicago, IlL, assignor to Lectro-Stik Company, Chicago, Ill., 21 co-partnership Filed Aug. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 477,149 18 Claims. (Cl. 150-40) This invention relates to new and improved key cases or pouches for holding one or more keys or the like.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved key case of the general type comprising a folder or pouch having a plurality of key retaining loops or rings connected thereto and adapted to be swung into and out of the folder.

A further object is to provide a new and improved key case of the foregoing character in which the key retaining loops are formed integrally with the folder.

Thus, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved key case which may be molded or otherwise formed in one piece from various flexible plastic materials, or other suitable materials.

Another object is to provide a new and improved key case having a plurality of relatively foldable panels and one or more key retaining strips connected integrally to one or more of the panels, each strip being formed with fastener elements whereby the strip may be held in the form of a key retaining loop.

A further object is to provide a new and improved fastener construction in which one element is formed with a neck portion having an enlarged head portion, and in which the other element of the fastener is formed with a generally T-shaped slot having a wide end portion to receive the enlarged head, together with means to prevent inadvertent unlocking.

It is a further object to provide a new and improved key case which may be manufactured at very low cost by a molding or stamping operation from various tough and flexible plastic materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide :a new and improved key case which is molded in one piece from flexible plastic material and is in the form of a tray with a cover which is swingable against the tray and is connected thereto by means of an integral plastic hinge.

A further object is to provide a new and improved key case of the foregoing character in which one or more loop forming strips may be hinged integrally to the tray, and in which one or more loop forming strips may also be hinged integrally to the cover.

It is a further object to provide such a key case in which the cover may also be in the form of' a tray, the two trays being swingable together with their hollow sides facing each other so as to afford a compartment between the trays for holding the keys which are mounted on the loop forming strips.

A further object is to provide a new and improved key case of the foregoing character, in which the integral hinge is bent when the trays are opened apart and the hinge is straight when the trays are closed in order to pull them tightly together.

A further object is to provide a key case of the foregoing character in which the hinges are recessed so they do not protrude beyond the outline of the case when closed, and thus provide a smoother outline which will not tear the pocket or purse of the user.

A further object is to provide a new and improved key case in which each of the loop forming strips may be connected to the key case by means of a pair of flexible integral hinges to provide double security against the loss of each key.

A further object is to provide a new and improved key case of the foregoing characterin which at least one of the loop forming strips is formed for easy opening and closing of the loop so that the corresponding key may be removed and replaced very quickly and easily.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved key case of the foregoing character having an improved releasable latch to hold the cover in closed position against the tray.

A further object is to provide a new and improved key case of the foregoing character in which the trays are recessed adjacent the loop forming strips so that one or more of the strips may extend outside the key case through the recessed portions when the key case is closed.

Another object is to provide a new and improved key case of the foregoing character in which at least one of the trays may be formed with an integral panel or flap which may be folded into the tray to form a pocket adapted to serve as a coin holder.

A further object is to provide such a key case having an improved latching arrangement for holding the panel or flap against the tray so that the coin holder may readily be opened and closed.

Another object is to provide an unusually compact key case in which one tray has a panel with flexible convolutions to permit the case to expand to accommodate more keys when required.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a key case to be described as an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the extended position of one of the loop forming strips for the key case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modified construction.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modified key case to be described as another illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the key case of FIG. 4, the case being shown in its closed position.

FIG. 6 is a transverse section through the key case, taken generally along the line 66 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation, taken generally as indicated by the line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transverse section taken generally along the line 88 in FIG. 7.

It will be seen that FIG. 1 illustrates a case or pouch 10 for holding a plurality of keys 12. It will be realized that the key case 10 may also be used for holding other devices, such as small tools or the like.

The illustrated key case 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a onepiece folder or pouch 14 for enclosing the keys 12. The folder 14 is formed with a plurality of relatively foldable panels. A central panel 16 and two

side panels

18 and 20 are employed in the illustrated construction, but a different number of panels could be employed in various situations. The

side panels

18 and 20 are integrally connected to the

opposite side edges

22 and 24 of the central panel 16. As shown,

hinge portions

26 and 28 of reduced thickness are provided between the central panel 16 and the

side panels

18 and 20.

The folder 14 is preferably made of various tough flexible plastic materials which will withstand repeated flexure. For example, the folder 14 may be made of various polyethylenes, particularly those of the long chain type; polypropylene; or high impact polystyrene. Other suitable plastics having a high degree of flexibility and toughness may also be employed. The folder 14 may be formed in one piece by a molding operation, or may be stamped in one piece from thin flexible sheet material.

It will be understood that the side panels 18 and are foldable in front of the central panel 16 to enclose the keys Within the key case. The side panel 20 overlaps the side panel 18 in its closed position. Suitable fastener elements are preferably employed to retain the

side panels

18 and 20 in their closed positions. In this case, the side panel 20 is formed with an integral fastener element in the form of a tab or tongue projecting from the outer side edge 32 thereof. The other side panel 18 is formed with a fastener receiving slot or opening 34. It will be understood thatthe slot 34 is adapted to receive the tongue 30 so as to hold the

side panels

18 and 20 in their folded positions.

To retain the keys 12, the key case 10 is provided with one or more loop forming strips 36 which are integrally connected to one edge of one of the panels. The illustrated vkey case 10 has two such strips, formed integrally with the upperedge of the central panel 16. The strips 36 are foldable against and away from the central panel 16. In FIG. 1, one of the strips 36 is shown in its position of storage, folded against the central panel 16, so that the key retained on such strip will be enclosed within the folder 14. The other strip 36 is shown swung away from the central panel 16 in its position of use, in which the key retained thereon is outside the folder. It will be understood that any suitable number of key retaining strips may be provided on the key case 10.

At least one flexible hinge portion is provided between each of the strips 36 and the panel 16. In the construction of FIG. 1, each of the loop forming strips 36 is con nected to the panel 16 by means of a pair of flexible hinge portions 38 of reduced thickness. The hinge portions 38 are made relatively thin to facilitate the folding of the key retaining strips 36 into and out of the folder 14. A slot or opening 40 is formed between the two hinge portions 38. The provision of two spaced hinge portions provides double security against the loss of a key. If one of the hinge portions becomes broken, the other hinge portion will still retain the strip and the key. The broken hinge will be a warning to the owner that'the key case should be replaced. If desired, a single hinge portion 38 maybe employed, as shown in FIG. 3.

Each of the illustrated strips 36 is formed with an intermediate or neck portion 42 of reduced width. It will be evident from FIG. 1 that the intermediate portion 42 is adapted to be formed into a loop 44 to retain the corresponding key 12.

At its outer end, each of the illustrated strips 36 is formed with an enlarged head 46, connected integrally to the neck or intermediate portion 42. The head 46 is preferably formed with square shoulders 48 adjacent the neck 42. The illustrated head 46 has an outer edge or margin 50 which is tapered or rounded.

Each of the illustrated strips 36 has an inner fastener portion 52 adjacent the hinge portion 38. The fastener portion 52 is of greater width than the neck portion 42. A fastener slot or opening 54 is formed in the portion 52 for receiving the neck 42 and the head 46. It-will be seen that the illustrated slot 54 is T-s-haped. Thus, the slot 54 has a longitudinal portion 56 and a transverse outer end portion 58. The longitudinal portion 56has a length corresponding generally to the width of the head 46. The width of the longitudinal portion 56 corresponds generally to the thickness of the head 46. The transverse portion 58 of the slot 54 has a width corresponding gener-ally to the width of the neck portion 42.

In actual use, each of the keys 12 is mounted on the corresponding strip 36 by inserting the strip 36 through the usual hole 60 in the key. The strip is then formed into a closed loop by twisting the strip through 90 degrees so that the head 46 may be inserted through the longitudinal portion 56 of the slot 54. The neck portion 42 is then forced into the transverse portion 58 of the slot 54. This requires flexure or momentary distortion of the neck 42 and the portions of the strip around the slot 54. In

forcing the neck portion 42 into the transverse slot portion 58, the strip is untwiste'd so that the head 46 will lie flat against the inner portion 52, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

When any particular key is to be used, the corresponding strip 36 is swung out of the folder 14. For storage of the keys, the strips 36 are swung against the central panel 16 of the folder 14. The folder 14 may then be closed by swinging the

side panels

18 and 20 over the front panel 16 and inserting the tongue 30 through the slot 34.

FIG. 3 illustrates the construction of a modified loop forming strip 136 having an inner fastener portion 152 which is formed with a fastener slot 154 of modified shape. The slot 154 is generally T-shaped but is formed with two

transverse end portions

162 and 164 at the opposite ends of the slot 154. The transverse end portion 162 is at the inner end of the slot 154 and is of a width corresponding to the width of the head 50. The other transverse end portion 164 is at the opposite end of the slot 154 and is of a width corresponding to the width of the neck 42. The slot 154 has a relatively narrow intermediate portion 166 which extends between the

end portions

162 and 164. The intermediate portion 166 is of a width substantially less than the width of the neck 42.

With the construction illustrated in FIG. 3, the strip 136 may be formed into a closed loop without the necessity of twisting the strip. The head 50 is inserted through the wider end portion 162. The neck 42 is then forced through the narrow intermediate portion 166 and into the end portion 164. This operation requires fleXure of the neck 42 and the portions of the inner fastener element 152 around the slot 154. In the final position of the strip 136, the neck 42 extends through the narrower end portion 164 of the slot 154.- The loop may be opened by forcing the neck 42 through the constricted intermediate portion 166 and into the wide end portion 162, from which the head 50 may readily be removed.

The key case of FIG. 1 may be manufactured at extremely low cost because it may be molded in one piece from inexpensive plastic materials, such as polyethylenes, polypropylene, or flexible high impact strength polystyrene. Many suitable plastic materials are available which will withstand many thousands or even millions of flexures, so that the key case will have an extremely high order of durability, far exceeding the durability of the usual key cases with metal fasteners. With minor changes in construction, the key case of FIG. 1 may also be stamped in one piece from plastic sheet materials.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate a modified key case 210 which embodies many additional improvements and advantages. The modified key case 210 is also in the form of a folder in that it comprises a main or body tray 212 and a swingable cover 214 which is formed integrally therewith and is adapted to close the hollow side of the tray 212. The cover 214 may also be in the form of a tray. When the key case 210 is closed, the hollow sides of the two

trays

212 and 214 are adjacent each other to provide space within the case for holding the keys. The tray 212 comprises a wall or panel 216 and a border flange 218 which extends around the edge of the panel 216. Similarly the tray 214 comprises a wall or panel 220 and a border flange 222. When the case 210 is closed, the

border flanges

218 and 222 are adjacent each other, as shown in FIG. 5.

The panel 220 of the cover tray 214 may have a central portion 224 which is connected to the remainder of the panel by a flexible convoluted or corrugated section 226, adapted to act in the manner of a bellows to provide for expansion of the key case by outward movement of the central portion 224. This expanding feature provides capacity fora large number of keys; and also provides an unusually compact case when only a few keys are carried.

The

trays

212 and 214 are connected together by means of a thin hinge portion 228 which is formed integrally therewith. The hinge portion 228 is in the form of a flexible strip of flap extending between the adjacent edges of the

trays

212 and 214. The

border flanges

218 and 222 are formed with

recesses

230 and 232 adjacent the hinge portion 228, as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. In this way, the hinge 228 may be formed to be flat when the case is closed and thus, by acting in a straight line, the hinge draws the two

trays

212 and 214 tightly together.

The key case 210 is preferably provided with a latching arrangement for holding the

trays

212 and 214 together in the closed position of the case. As shown to advantage in FIGS. 4 and 6, the cover tray 214 is formed with a latch or tongue 234 which projects from the border flange 222 at the side of the tray opposite from the hinge portion 228. An opening or slot 236 is formed in the body of the tray 212 for receiving the latch 234. The slot 236 extends through the panel 216 and also through a portion of the border flange 218. An offset latching bar 238 extends across the slot 236 and is formed integrally with the border flange 218. It will be seen that the latching bar 238 has a tapered or sloping side surface 240 which acts as a ramp to facilitate the entry of the latch 234 into the slot 236. A sloping or tapered ramp surface 242 is also formed on the latch 234. It will be seen that the latch 234 is formed with a notch 244 which defines a shoulder 246 adapted to move under the latching bar 238. Thus, the shoulder 246 will be retained by the latching bar 238 when the latch 234 has moved into the slot 236. The latch 234 may be disengaged by pressing on the ramp surface 242 so as to flex the latch sufiiciently to allow the shoulder 246 to escape from the latching bar 238.

The key case 210 of FIG. 4 may be formed with one or more strips which are similar to the strips of the key case shown in FIG. 1, in that the strips may be formed into key retaining loops. In the construction of FIG. 4, one or more of the loop forming strips may be formed on either or both of the

trays

212 and 214. The specific construction shown in FIG. 4 is provided with such strips 248

onboth trays

212 and 214. Arranging the loop forming strips on both trays is advantageous because the keys are not crowded, thus permitting easy selection, and yet the key case is compact.

Each strip 248 is made flexible so that it may readily be formed into a loop. A disengageable fastener construction, to be described in detail shortly, is employed so that each strip may be closed to retain a key. Each loop forming strip 248 is connected to the

corresponding tray

212 or 214 byone or more flexible hinges 258 which are formed integrally therewith. As shown in the case of FIG. 1, the specific construction of FIG. 4 employs a pair of spaced flexible hinges 250 for each strip 248 to afford double security against the loss of a key. A slot or opening 252 is formed between the two hinge portions 250 of each strip. If one hinge portion 250 becomes broken, the owner of the key case will be warned that he is in danger of the loss of a key, so that the key case may be replaced in due time. The hinge portions 250 are preferably of reduced thickness to afford increased flexibility.

Adjacent the hinge portions 250, the

border flanges

218 and 222 of the

trays

212 and 214 are formed with

recesses

254 and 256 which are adjacent each other when the key case is closed. The

recesses

254 and 256 provide an opening or slot through which the key retaining strips 248 may extend so that they may be positioned either inside or outside the key case. Thus, the key which is in actual use may be positioned outside the key case, while the other keys and their supporting loops are received within the key case.

The fastening elements on the loop forming strips 248 are similar to those disclosed in connection with FIG. 1. Thus, the sides of each strip 248 are formed with notches 260 to provide an enlarged head 262 having shoulders 264. Each strip 248 has a neck portion 266 adapted to be folded into a loop. Adjacent the hinge portions 250, each strip 248 has a body portion 268 formed with a fastener slot 270. Preferably, the fastener slot 270 is T-shaped and thus comprises a longitudinal portion 272 and a transverse outer end portion 274.

The key case of FIG. 4 has three of the loop forming strips 248, plus a fourth strip 278 of modified construction. The modified strip 278 has hinge portions 250 with a slot 252 therebetween, the same as the strip 248. The sides of the modified strip 278 are formed with notches 280 to provide an enlarged head 282 with shoulders 284. However, the head 282 is substantially longer than the heads 262 of the strips 248. The modified strip 278 has a flexible neck portion 286 adapted to be formed into a loop. The head 282 and the adjacent portion 288 of the neck 286 are thickened relative to the remainder of the neck 286. v

The modified strip 278 has a body portion 290 formed with a fastener slot 292 which is triangular in shape, rather than being T-shaped. It will be seen that the triangular slot 292 has two longer sides 294 and a shorter isde 296. The longer sides 294 extend generally along the length of the strip 278, while the shorter side 296 extends transversely. The length of the longer sides 294 corresponds generally to the width of the enlarged head 282, while the length of the shorter side 296 corresponds generally to the width of the thickened neck portion 288 adjacent the shoulders 284.

Because of the triangular fastener slot 292 and the elongated, thickened head 282, the loop 278 is particularly easy to open and close. The strip 286 is formed into a loop by twisting the head 282 through approximately degrees, inserting the head through the triangular slot, and releasing the head so that it becomes untwisted, whereupon the head is retained in the triangular slot.- The loop may be opened by twisting the head 282 and pushing it out of the triangular slot 292. This easy unlocking facility is advantageous for keys 'which must be removed frequently.

As an added feature, the key case 210 has a pouch or pocket 300 for holding one or more conis 302. The coin pouch 300 is formed by a panel or flap 304 which is formed integrally with one of the trays, in this case the tray 212. The flap 304 is connected to one end of the tray 212 by means of a thin hinge portion 306 which is flexible so that the flap 304 may readily be folded against the inside of the tray 212.

An integral bar or rib 308 is provided along the free edge of the flap 304 to reinforce and stiffen the edge of the flap, while also retaining the coins 302 in the Space between the flap 384 and the panel 216 of the tray 212. One or more slots or openings 310 may be formed in the flap 304 so that the coins in the pouch 300 will be visible without opening the pouch.

A latching arrangement is preferably provided for releasably holding the flap 304 in its closed position against the tray 212. In the illustrated construction, the ends of the rib or bar 308 are formed into latch projections 312 adapted to be received in latching slots or openings 314 which are formed in side portions of the tray 212. I Each latch projection 312 has a tapered or inclined ramp surface 316 to facilitate the entry of the latch projection into the corresponding slot 314. Upon entering the slot 314, the projection 312 snaps under a shoulder or bar 318. The flap 384 can be flexed sufficiently to disengage the latch projections 312 from the slots 314. Thus, the coin pouch 300 may be opened simply by pulling the flap 304 away from the tray 212 with suflicient force to flex the rib 308.

The

border flanges

218 and 222 are formed with

recesses

231 and 233 adjacent the hinge 228 and with

recesses

253 and 255 adjacent hinges 250. In this way, the hinges do not protrude beyond the outline of the case when closed; thus providing a smooth key case which will not tend to tear the pocket or purse of the user.

It may be helpful to summarize the operation and use of the key case 210 of FIGS. 4-7. One or more keys may be mounted on each of the loop forming strips 248.

head in the opposite direction so as to force the neck' portion 266 into the transverse portion 274 of the T-slot.

The shoulders 264 prevent disengagement of the head 262 from the slot 270.

A key may be mounted on the modified strip 278 in a similar manner, by slipping a key on to the strip, forming the strip into a loop, twisting the head 282 through about 90 degrees, inserting the head 282 into the triangular slot 292, and=allowing the head to untwist so that the shoulders'284 will retain the head in the triangular slot.

All of the key retaining strips 284 and 278and the keys mounted thereon may be positioned within the case 210 by folding the strips against the trays 212 .and 214 and swinging the trays together so as to close the case. In the closed position, the latch 234 snaps behind the latching bar 238 so as to hold the

trays

212 and 214 to gether. The key case may be opened by pressing on the ramp surface 242 of the latch 234 so as to release the latch from the latching bar 238.-

One or more of the keys may be moved outside the key case by swinging the corresponding strip 248 away from the corresponding tray, whereupon the case may be closed so. as to retain the other strips and the keysmounted thereon. The

recesses

254 and 256 adjacent the flexible hinges 250 afford room for the

key strips

248 and 278 whether they extend inside or outside the key case.

The convoluted portion 226 of the tray 214 provides-for expansion of the key case by outward movement of the central wall portion 224, so that room will be provided for a relatively thick bundle of keys. On the other hand, the key case retains its minimum thickness if a smaller bundle of keys is used.

Coins may be inserted into the coin punch 300 by slipping the coins between the rib 308 and the panel 216 under the flap 304. The rib 308 and the panel 216 may be sprung sufliciently to provide for the insertion'of coins. The coin pouch 300 may be opened by springing or flexing the rib 308 to a greater extent until the latching projections 312 are released from the latching slots 314.

The entire key case 210 may readily be molded in one piece from various flexible plastic materials, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and flexible high impact strength polystyrene. Thus, the key case may be manufactured at extremely low cost. The flexible hinges employed in the key case are extremely durable, so that the key case will give long service, often exceeding the serviceable life of key cases using metal fittings. The key case retains the keys against loss, yet in such a manner that the keys may readily be removed from the retaining loops.

Various other modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, as exemplified in the foregoing description and defined in the following claims.

I claim: 1. A key pouch, comprising a folder made of fllexible sheet material, said, folder having a central panel and two side panels formed integrally with said central panel and connected to opposite side edges thereof, said side, panels being foldable over said central panel in overlapping relation, and a plurality of key retaining loops formed integrally with said central panel and connected to the upper edge thereof.

each of said loops having a hinge portion of reduced thickness connected integrally to said central panel, said hinge portion being readily flexible whereby said loop is readily swingable against and away from said central panel,

each loop comprising a strip having an inner portion adjacent said hinge portion and an outer end portion at the end of said strip remote from said hinge portion,

and a pair of cooperative fastening elements on said inner and outer end portions of said loop for disengageably connecting said outer portion to said inner portion for retaining a key or the like on said loop.

2. A key case,

comprising a folder made of flexible sheet material,

said folder having a central panel and two side panels connected integrally to opposite side edges of said central panel,

said folder having a pair of hinge portions of reduced thickness connected between said central panel and said side panels whereby said side panels are readily foldable over said central panel,

one of said side panels being formed with a fastener opening,

the other of said side panels being formed with a fastener tongue for insertion into said fastener openand a plurality of key retaining strips formed integrally with the top edge of said central panel,

each of said strips having a hinge portion of reduced thickness connected integrally between said strip and said central panel whereby said strip is readily foldable against and away from said central panel,

each of said strips having an inner portion adjacent said hinge portion of said strip and formed with a fastener slot,

each of said strips having a foldable intermediate portion and a tip portion of enlarged width relative to said intermediate portion,

said tip portion being insertable through said fastener slot to retain said intermediate portion in a folded position to form a key retaining loop.

3. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folder made of flexible sheet material and comprising a plurality of relatively foldable panels,

and at least one key retaining strip formed integrally with one edge of one of said panels and foldable against and away from such panel,

each strip having an inner fastener element and an outer fastener element for disengageably mating with said inner fastener element to hold said strip in the form of a key retaining loop.

4. A fastening device,

comprising first and second flexible strip elements made of sheet material,

said first strip element having one end formed into a neck portion with an enlarged head connected integrally thereto,

said second strip element having a generally T-shaped fastener slot formed therein for interlocking with said head of said first strip,

said slot having a first end portion of a Width corresponding to the width of said head for initially receiving said head,

said slot having a second end portion at the opposite end thereof and of a width corresponding to the width of said neck portion for receiving said neck portion in the interlocked positions of said strip elements,

said slot having an intermediate portion extending between said end portions and of a reduced width substantially less than the Width of said neck portion whereby substantial flexure of said strip elements is required to move said neck portion between said end portions of said slot.

5. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folder having a plurality of relatively foldable panels made of flexible sheet material,

and at least one loop forming strip connected integrally to one edge of one of said panels for holding a key or the like,

said strip being foldable against and away from said panel,

said strip having its outer end formed with a neck portion having an enlarged head connected integrally thereto,

said strip having an inner portion formed with a generally T-shaped fastener slot for interlocking with said head and said neck portion,

said slot having a first end portion of a width corresponding to the width of said head,

said slot having a second end portion at the opposite end thereof and of a width corresponding to the width of said neck portion,

said slot having a reduced intermediate portion extending between said end portions and of a width substantially less than the width of said neck portion whereby fl'exure of said strips is required to move said neck portion between said end portions of said slot,

said neck portion being receivable in said second end portion of said slot to hold said strip in the form of a loop.

6. A fastening device,

comprising first and second flexible strip elements,

said first strip element having a neck portion with an enlarged head connected integrally thereto,

said second strip element having a generally T-shaped fastener slot formed therein for interlocking with said neck portion and head,

said slot having a second end portion at the opposite end thereof and :of a width coresponding to the width of said neck portion,

7. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folder made of flexible material and comprising a plurality of relatively foldable panels, I

and at least one loop forming stri formed integrally with one edge of one of said panels and foldable against and away from such panel,

each strip having an inner portion formed with a fastener opening,

each strip having a tip portion receivable in said fastener opening to retain said strip in a key retaining loop.

8. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folding case member and a plurality of loop strips,

said case consisting of a single continuous piece of flexible material,

said material being readily foldable at a thin section,

said folding case member comprising two trays foldably joined together,

said trays having mutually engageable detent means for holding said case member closed,

some of said loop strips being foldably joined to each tray,

each of said strips having a notched tip,

each of said strips having an opening therein located away from the tip,

said opening being formed to receive and retain said tip.

9. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folding case member and a looping strip,

said case consisting of one continuous piece of flexible material,

said material being readily foldable at a thin section,

said folding case member comprising a tray and a cover foldably joined together,

said strip being foldably joined to an edge of said foldable case member,

said strip having a notched tip,

said strip having an opening therein remote from the said opening being formed to receive and retain said tip.

10. In a one piece key case made of flexible material,

the combination comprising a plurality of relatively foldable panels and a plurality of loop forming strips integrally hinged to said panels,

each of said strips :being hinged by two side by side integrally formed hinges,

each strip having an inner portion formed with a fastener opening,

each strip having a formed'tip portion receivable in said fastener opening to retain said strip in a key retaining loop.

11. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folding case member formed in a single continuous piece and including a tray and a cover swingable against said tray,

said folding case member including a thin flexible hinge member extending between said cover and said tray and formed integrally therewith,

at least one key retaining loop connected to said tray and swingable into and out of said tray,

and a coin pocket formed integrally with said tray for holding coins or the like,

said pocket comprising a panel swingable toward and away from said tray,

a thin flexible hinge portion extending between said panel and said tray and formed integrally therewith,

and means for holding said panel adjacent said tray for the reception of coins therebetween.

12. In a key case,

said pocket comprising a panel swingable toward and away from said tray,

and cooperative latching elements on said panel and said tray for releasably holding said panel adjacent said tray for the reception of coins therebetween.

13. In a key case,

said pocket comprising a panel swingable toward and away from said tray,

and cooperative latching elements on said panel and said tray for releasably holding said panel adjacent said tray for the reception of coins therebetween,

said panel having on outer edge portion with a rib extending therealong and projecting toward said tray,

said rib stiffening said panel and being effective to retain coins between said panel and said tray.

14. The combination according to claim 13,

in whichsaid latching elements comprise latching projections on said panel adjacent the ends of said rib,

and latch openings on said tray for releasably receiving said latching projections.

15. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folding case member including a pair of trays swingable toward and away from each other, at least one loop forming strip formed integrally with one of said trays and foldable against and away from said tray,

said strip being foldable into a loop and having disengageable fastener elements for retaining said strip in said loop,

and a thin flexible hinge portion extending between said trays and formed integrally therewith,

said trays, strip and hinge portion being formed in a single continuous piece of flexible material,

said trays having opposite side panels and border flanges extending toward each other,

said border flanges being formed with recesses adjacent said hinge portion so that said hinge when folded will fall within the outline of said case.

16. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folding case member including arpair of trays swingable toward and away [from each other, at least one loop forming strip formed integrally with one of said trays and foldabie against and away from said tray,

said strip :being foldable into a loop and having disengageable fastener elements for retaining said strip in said loop,

and a thin flexiblehinge portion extending between said trays and formed integrally therewith,

the border flange of at least one of said trays having a recess therein adjacent said loop forming strip to provide a passage from said strip when said trays are closed.

17. In a key case,

the combination comprising a folding case member including a pair of trays swingable toward and away from each other,

at least one loop forming strip formed integrally with one of said trays and foldable against and away from said tray,

said trays having cooperative latching elements thereon for releasably holding said trays together in a closed position,

said latching elements comprising a latch projection on one of said trays and a latch opening on the other tray for releasably receiving said latch projection.

18. In a key case,

said strip being foldable into a loop and having disengagea-ble fastener elements for retaining said strip in said loop,

the side panel of at least one of said trays having a central member with a convoluted bellows portion to provide for expansion of the corresponding tray.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,717,621 9/1955 Martin et al 15040 2,924,088 I 2/1960 Goldman 458 2,964,937 12/ 1960 Lautin 70458 XR 3,130,462 4/ 1964 Mitchell 24-16 3,255,501 6/1966 Laguerre 24-16 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A KEY POUCH, COMPRISING A FOLDER MADE OF FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL, SAID FOLDER HAVING A CENTRAL PANEL AND TWO SIDE PANELS FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID CENTRAL PANEL AND CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES THEREOF, SAID SIDE PANELS BEING FOLDABLE OVER SAID CENTRAL PANEL IN OVERLAPPING RELATION, AND A PLURALITY OF KEY RETAINING LOOPS FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID CENTRAL PANEL AND CONNECTED TO THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF. EACH OF SAID LOOPS HAVING A HINGE PORTION OF REDUCED THICKNESS CONNECTED INTEGRALLY TO SAID CENTRAL PANEL, SAID HINGE PORTION BEING READILY FLEXIBLE WHEREBY SAID LOOP IS READILY SWINGABLE AGAINST AND AWAY FROM SAID CENTRAL PANEL, EACH LOOP COMPRISING A STRIP HAVING AN INNER PORTION ADJACENT SAID HINGE PORTION AND AN OUTER END PORTION AT THE END OF SAID STRIP REMOTE FROM SAID HINGE PORTION, AND A PAIR OF COOPERATIVE FASTENING ELEMENTS ON SAID INNER AND OUTER END PORTIONS OF SAID LOOP FOR DISENGAGEABLY CONNECTING SAID OUTER PORTION TO SAID INNER PORTION FOR RETAINING A KEY OR THE LIKE ON SAID LOOP.