WO2009053707A2

WO2009053707A2 - A key holder

Info

Publication number: WO2009053707A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/003608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Downing; Justin Urquhart
Original assignee: Wristkey.Com Limited
Priority date: 2007-10-25
Filing date: 2008-10-24
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Also published as: WO2009053707A3; GB0720998D0

Abstract

A fastening means for a strap, wherein the strap comprises at least one raised fixing means moulded integrally onto one surface of the strap and a series of corresponding indentations in an opposite surface.

Description

A key holder

The present invention relates to a device for securing a key, especially a changing room locker key, to the user's body.

Previously proposed key holders comprise a strap, preferably constructed from a plastics material, with a means for shaping the strap into a loop for attachment to a limb. Once the strap is shaped into a loop, the circumference is fixed by means of fixing one end of the strap to the other. A loose end of the strap is then held in a desired position by a guiding means. Previously proposed key holders comprise a series of teeth on one surface of the strap and a corresponding tongue to lock the strap at the desired circumference.

The key is attached to the holder by means of a key fixing means which holds the key in one position when "dormant" and allows the key to be rotated when required to activate the corresponding lock. In the dormant position, the fixing means partially encloses the key to mitigate the dangers of its sharp edges . Previously proposed key holders have suffered from problems when the loose end of the strap works free from the guiding means during use. In addition, previously proposed key holders use metal rivets as a key fixing means, with the result that when the key holder is used in a humid or wet environment the rivet can be damaged by rust.

Previously proposed key holders often have the number of the corresponding locker printed onto the strap or fixing means enclosure. This method of indicating the correspondence between key and lock is not helpful to partially sighted or blind users and certain types of print are damaged by interaction with water .

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention relates to fastening means for a strap wherein the strap comprises at least one raised fixing means moulded integrally onto one surface of the strap and a series of corresponding indentations in an opposite surface.

This fixing means has the advantage over prior straps that the strap can be quickly and easily affixed and removed from the user's limb. The presence of a series of indentations allows the strap to be formed into a loop whose size can be varied in circumference according to the user's wishes.

Preferably the fixing means comprises a stud.

Advantageously the fixing means comprises a substantially rectangular stud.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a guiding means wherein one end of the strap comprises a bulbous section and the opposite end of the strap comprises a slot, the bulbous section and the slot being shaped so as to form a releasable locking mechanism.

The advantage of the guiding means is that the loose end of the strap does not fly freely and therefore is less likely to catch another part of the user's body or another body. This means that the strap will not be accidentally removed from the user' s limb when in use and will be less likely to accidentally cause damage to the user or other persons.

Preferably the bulbous section comprises a curved section of substantially a quarter of a circle in profile and a section which substantially subtends an angle of at least 90° to the outer surface of the strap.

Preferably the slot comprises an end portion of the strap of slightly larger dimensions than a main part of the strap wherein the slot has a main portion with substantially parallel sides which subtends an obtuse angle to the outside surface of the strap and an end portion which is substantially at right angles to the outside surface of the strap.

Advantageously the bulbous section comprises a section, which is wider than the main part of the strap.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a plastic rivet to secure the key to the key holder.

This has the advantage that when the key holder is used in a moist environment it will not be damaged by rust.

Preferably the plastic rivet is moulded integrally onto the strap . Advantageously the plastic rivet is shaped so that the key cannot easily be removed from the key holder once installed.

This has the advantage of reducing the risk of detachment of the key while the key holder is in use and reduces the risk of misplacement of the key.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to the integral moulding of raised indicating numbers or Braille representations of said numbers onto the key holder.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a key fixing means which is made up of two substantially symmetrical portions connected by a hinge, in which one of the symmetrical portions of the key fixing means is equipped with at least one spigot and the other symmetrical portion is equipped with a corresponding recess to accommodate the raised button.

Preferably, the spigot and corresponding recess releasably hold the key fixing means in such a position to prevent the edges of the key from being exposed to prevent personal injury. An example of a key holder made in accordance with the present invention will now be described herein below with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show different perspective views of a key holder;

Figure 3 shows a cross-section view of a possible embodiment of the bulbous section and;

Figure 4 shows a cross-section view of a possible embodiment of the guiding means .

Figures 1 and 2 disclose a keyholder 2 with a strap 4 where approximately half way between the two ends 6 of the strap 4 is a key fixing means 8 which is made up of two substantially symmetrical portions 10 connected by a hinge 12. One of the symmetrical portions 10 of the key fixing means 8 is equipped with two spigots 32 and the other symmetrical portion 10 is equipped with two corresponding recesses 34 to accommodate the spigots 32. The spigots 32 and corresponding recesss 34 releasably hold the key fixing means in such a position to prevent the edges of the key from being exposed to prevent personal injury. Towards one .end 6 of the strap 4 are a pair of moulded studs 14 which are raised from the surface of the strap 4. Towards the opposite end of the strap 4 are a series of holes 16 which correspond in size and shape to the studs 14. The strap 4 is formed so as to accept a plastics material rivet 18 and corresponding eye 20 as a key fixing means 8 at equal distances from the hinge 12, the rivet 18 being shaped to hold a suitable key 22 in a desired position. At one end of the strap 4 there is formed a bulbous section 24 which is shaped to form a quarter circle in cross section with a flat edge perpendicular to the surface of the strap 4 and a further arrow shaped section which is wider than the main strap. At the opposite end of the strap 4 is formed a slot section 26 which comprises an end portion of the strap of slightly larger dimensions than a main part of the strap wherein the slot has a main portion with substantially parallel sides which subtends an obtuse angle to the outside surface of the strap and an end portion which is substantially at right angles to the outside surface of the strap.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of one possible embodiment of the bulbous section 24 at one end of the strap 4. The bulbous section 24 forms a quarter circle shape with a flat edge perpendicular to the surface 28 of the strap 4.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of one possible embodiment of the slot wherein the end 6 of the strap 4 is larger than the main part of the strap 4. Within the end 6 is formed a slot 30 which is shaped to correspond to the shape of the bulbous section (not shown) .

The strap 4 , is generally supplied with a key attached by a rivet 18. When the strap 4 is to be used, the user brings opposite ends 6 of the strap 4 together to form a loop around the user' s limb. The user inserts bulbous end 24 through the slot section 26 and selects the desired circumference for the loop. Once the desired circumference is selected, the studs 14 can be inserted into the holes 16 in order to set the size of the circumference.

When the user no longer requires the strap 4 the studs 14 can be removed from the holes 16- and the bulbous end 24 can subsequently be removed from the slot section 26.

Claims

1. A fastening means for a strap, wherein the strap comprises at least one raised fixing means moulded integrally onto one surface of the strap and a series of corresponding indentations in an opposite surface.

2. A fastening means according to Claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprises a stud.

3. A fastening means according to Claim 2, wherein the fixing means comprises a substantially rectangular stud.

4. A guiding means for a strap, wherein one end of the strap comprises a bulbous section and the opposite end of the strap comprises a slot, the bulbous section and the slot being shaped so as to form a releasable locking mechanism.

5. A guiding means according to Claim 4, wherein the bulbous section comprises a curved section of substantially a quarter of a circle in profile and a section which substantially subtends an angle of at least 90° to the outer surface of the strap.

6. A guiding means according to Claim 4, wherein the slot comprises an end portion of the strap of slightly larger dimensions than a main part of the strap wherein the slot has a main portion with substantially parallel sides which subtends an obtuse angle to the outside surface of the strap and an end portion which is substantially at right angles to the outside surface of the strap.

7. A guiding means according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the bulbous section comprises a section, which is wider than the main part of the strap.

8. A key holder comprising a key fixing means which is made up of two substantially symmetrical portions connected by a hinge, wherein one of the symmetrical portions is equipped -w-i-t-h--at- -least-one-spigot—and—the- other—symme.tr.ical portion is equipped with a corresponding recess to accommodate the spigot .

9. A key holder according to Claim 8, wherein the spigot and corresponding recess releasably hold the key fixing means in such a position to prevent the edges of the key from being exposed to prevent personal injury.

10. A key holder according to any preceding claim, comprising a plastic rivet to secure the key to the key holder.

11. A key holder according to Claim 10, wherein the plastic rivet is moulded integrally onto the strap.

12. A key holder according to Claim 11, wherein the plastic rivet is shaped so that the key cannot easily be removed from the key holder once installed.

13. A key holder according to any preceding claim, comprising the integral moulding of raised indicating numbers or Braille representations of said numbers onto the key holder.