WO2014207178A1

WO2014207178A1 - Key fob

Info

Publication number: WO2014207178A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/063648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathieu GUITOUN
Original assignee: Guitoun Mathieu
Priority date: 2013-06-27
Filing date: 2014-06-27
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Also published as: BE1021586B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a key fob comprising a partially closed case defining an inner space separated from an outside environment provided with at least one planar face and a second zone provided with at least one key outlet orifice, said first planar face comprising a movement groove for a slider, said slider comprising a gripping zone and a planar zone, said gripping zone protruding toward said outside environment and extending at one end of said planar zone, said planar zone being engaged and guided by said movement groove and a connecting means.

Description

"KEYCHAIN"

The present invention relates to a key ring comprising a partially closed case defining an interior space separated from an external environment provided with at least a first planar face and an area provided with at least one key exit orifice. , said first planar face comprising a displacement groove for a slider, said slider comprising a gripping zone and a planar zone, said gripping zone projecting towards said external environment and extending at one end of said planar zone, said zone plane being engaged and guided by said displacement groove, said key ring further comprising a connecting means.

Such a key ring is known from document FR2962305 which discloses a device designed to contain and use keys. The device disclosed is a housing comprising a plurality of compartments obtained by assembling several faces provided with male and female clips. The compartments thus formed make it possible to form a plurality of interior spaces provided for housing keys. The housing also has grooves acting as displacement grooves for sliders. Each slider is provided with a connecting means provided to hold the head of a key. The connecting means is a clamp which fixes the head of the key. Moving the cursor in the displacement groove makes it possible to slide the key towards an area provided with a key exit orifice. This makes it possible to present part of the key since the key head is held inside the key ring by the connecting means. The document teaches us that the key holder sufficiently holds the key through the connecting means. So when the key is inserted in a lock, the user turns it while holding the case. The document teaches that the stiffness between the housing and the key is sufficient to allow easy rotation of the key.

Unfortunately, the disclosed key ring has a limited life and is inconvenient for the user. With each use, a force is applied to the surface of the housing that can withstand it but not indefinitely, it eventually cracking over time. On the other hand, the key which has a smaller area compared to that of the housing is not designed to withstand such a high pressure. Therefore, the user is forced to exert pressure on the housing that can lead to the breaking of the key during use. In addition, the key exchange requires the opening of the housing to be able to access the connecting means. The user must always disassemble the device to disengage the key from said key ring.

A key ring for presenting the key in its entirety is known from US3765200 which discloses a compartmentalized key ring which has at least a first planar face which comprises grooves for sliders, each slider comprising a gripping zone, projecting to the outside environment, and a flat area that is engaged through said groove. The slider is provided with a closure means which holds the key at its orifice and has an open position and a closed position. Thus, when the key is held within said device, the connecting means is in the closed position to hold the key. When the key slides to an end of said first planar face at an area provided with an outlet, the connecting means comes into contact with a stop. The user can then disengage the key from the connecting means by pulling it towards him so as to open the connecting means, in the open position, which thus releases the cie.

Unfortunately, the key holder of US 3765200 is limited since it only allows to keep a cie which to be used must be output of said keychain and taken separately. Despite the fact that the key is presented in its entirety to the user, the disclosed key ring does not allow the use of the key with the housing. The user is therefore forced to remove the key to use it and then connect it by means of connection to house it in the key ring. US 4,951,819 teaches a key ring which comprises a case provided with at least one displacement groove for a slider. The slider has a rod which is intended to be housed in a cylinder. The disclosed device requires the use of a connecting means which must be positioned on the cylinder. Then, the addition of a ring to the connecting means makes it possible to house a key in the device. The housing of a series of keys is possible by adding the additional keys to the ring provided for this purpose. It is obvious that such a device is made complex due to the presence of a series of parts to house, maintain and present the key during use.

There is therefore a real need to provide a multifunctional keychain capable of housing at least one key, to present the entire key that remains in connection with the housing when it is used and that makes it possible to use the key with the key. housing to facilitate the handling of the key ring. There is also a need to provide a key ring which has a simplified structure compared to the state of the art.

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art by providing a key ring to contain your keys and use them by reducing the risk of breaking them during handling.

To solve this problem, it is provided according to the invention, a key ring as indicated at the beginning characterized in that said planar area of said slider (5) comprises an attachment zone (12) projecting towards said interior space and extending at an end opposite to that of said gripping area (7) and being provided at said end with a through-hole (8), said through-hole (8) being inscribed in a first plane perpendicular to said first plane face (3), and in that said connecting means (6) is arranged to engage in said through hole (8) of said slider (5) by means of a first rectilinear rod (16) transversely relative to in said first plane, said first rod being provided with two ends of which extend a curved line connecting them to one another, said curved line being arranged to engage in a through hole of a key.

In the context of the present invention, the slider is also provided with a fixing zone directed towards said interior space. This attachment zone comprises a through-fixing orifice which is inscribed in a first plane perpendicular to the first plane formed by said first planar face. The straight rod of the connecting means engages in said through-fixing orifice and both ends of the rod engage in the hole of the key. In this way, the rod of the connecting means therefore passes through the plane formed by said through-fixing orifice and makes it possible to direct the key to the outside of the housing at the level of the zone provided with at least one outlet orifice. Therefore, the key is presented in a direction such that a median plane thereof is parallel to said first plane in which said first planar face is inscribed. This particular arrangement of the through-fixing orifice and of said connecting means makes it possible to obtain the technical effect according to the present invention. Therefore, when the key is out of the case, the latter rocker by gravity and the user can easily maintain the head of the key which is a suitable gripping zone to handle the key which facilitates the use and handling keychain according to the invention. In addition, the risk of rupture is reduced.

Preferably, said first planar face comprises a plurality of displacement grooves for at least one slider.

More preferably, said first planar face comprises a plurality of cursors.

In a preferred embodiment, the key ring according to the present invention further comprises a second planar face.

Advantageously, said second plane face comprises a plurality of displacement grooves for at least one slider. In an advantageous embodiment, said second pivot face comprises a plurality of cursors.

Advantageously, each displacement groove has a first and a second closed end forming stops for moving said slider, said second end being located on the side of said zone provided with at least one key exit orifice. This has the advantage of blocking the cursor so as to limit its movement between two closed ends.

In a particular embodiment, a portion of said first planar face, located between said second end of each displacement groove and the end of said case located on the side of said zone provided with at least one key exit orifice, presents a length less than the length of said connecting means. In this way, the key is easily presented outside the keychain.

Preferably, said case comprises at least one wall which makes it possible to create at least two compartments in the case. This has the advantage of increasing the volume of the key ring which can then contain at least two keys, preferably four keys.

More advantageously, each flat area of each slider and each attachment area of said slider is located at one end of the surface of said slider. This preferred embodiment makes it possible to provide a carrier which is relatively compact since the space occupied by a cursor is reduced.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, each first rectilinear rod consists of a first element and a second element of which the curved line extends, each of the first and second elements being arranged to be reversibly connected to said through hole. This embodiment makes it possible to provide a connection means capable of releasing the key easily. In addition, in a particular embodiment, said first element of said rod is provided with an orifice at one of its ends and said second element of said first rod is rectilinear and is arranged to be introduced reversibly into said rod. first element provided with an orifice. This preferred embodiment makes it possible to provide a connecting means whose one of its ends is intended to be held in the through-fixing orifice and the other end of which is intended to be fixed or removed as desired so as to be able to easily and easily quickly release the key from said connecting means. This mode will be advantageously used to substitute the key with another.

Advantageously, the case comprises a face provided with at least one notch located at the end opposite to said zone provided with at least one exit orifice of cié to define a bearing zone for sliding said first planar face to said zone provided with at least one key exit orifice. This has the advantage of accessing the rod of the connecting means to release the key and thus replace it.

Preferably, said case has a rectangular or oval or parallelepiped shape.

Advantageously, said case is made of synthetic material, metal, wood, polymer or covered with leather, leather upholstery, velvet.

More preferably, the key ring according to the present invention comprises a light source, for example an LED bulb.

Other embodiments of the device according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given below, without limitation and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a key ring according to the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a key ring according to the present invention according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a key ring, according to the present invention, having four compartments each comprising a key.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the key ring illustrated in FIG. 2.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a slider according to the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a connection means according to the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a wall according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a connecting means and a slider according to the present invention.

Figure 9 is a schematic top view of a first planar face according to the invention.

Figure 10 is a top view of a face of the case according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a schematic view of a first planar face according to the present invention.

In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references.

Figure 1 illustrates the elements that form a key ring according to the present invention. The carrier includes a partially closed case (1) that defines an interior space separated from an outside environment. The case (1) comprises four compartments separated by three walls (2). FIG. 1 also shows a first planar face (3) and a second planar face (3) each provided with two displacement grooves (4) through which a slider (5) can slide. A connecting means (6) engages in the through hole (8) (8) of said slider (5). In the present embodiment, the key ring has 4 cursors (5) and 4 connecting means (6). Each slider (5) is placed inside the displacement grooves (4) and each connecting means (6) engages in each through fastening orifice (8). The two flat faces (3) fit on the case (1) and make it possible to obtain the key ring according to the present invention. Once the pieces are assembled, each slider (5) can be moved by applying pressure on the gripping area (7) of said slider (5) so as to be able to slide the slider (5) and the connecting means (5). 6) provided with a key. This preferred mode also teaches the possibility of easily dismounting each of the parts of the carrier. In addition, the assembly of the parts does not require any glue to form the key ring according to the present invention. Each of the parts is therefore designed to fit into each other easily and reversibly to form the key fob according to the present invention.

Advantageously, the case (1) comprises a light source such as an LED bulb. A space can then be provided at one end of the case (1), opposite the end located at the area provided with an outlet, to contain a battery, preferably an LED battery.

The case (1) according to the present invention may be covered with leather, leather upholstery and / or a plastic material.

Figure 2 shows a key ring according to the invention and a key. Figure 2 illustrates a slider (5) and its gripping area (7) and a connecting means (6). When the user moves the slider (5) by applying pressure on the gripping area (7), the flat area of the slider (not visible) abuts against the area provided with at least one key exit orifice which is presented in its entirety to the user. The latter can hold the key at its gripping area (9) thus tilting the door-carrier by gravity. In this embodiment, the technical effect of the present invention is precisely illustrated because the key is presented in a direction such that a median plane thereof is parallel to said first plane in which is inscribed said first planar face (3). In this way, the key is easily exposed to the user and facilitates its movement towards the output of the case (1) which will logically rock by gravity and facilitate handling of the cie.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an area provided with a key exit port according to the present invention. Each compartment (A, B, C and D) houses a key. In this embodiment, the compartments (A, B, C and D) are created by the presence of three walls (2) for delimiting the space contained in the case (1). In this embodiment, each key face is positioned to be in contact with a face of a wall (2) which further facilitates the movement of a key. Indeed, each side of a wall (2) then serves as a guide for supporting one of the faces of the key. Therefore, the key remains substantially in the same plane in which is inscribed the through fastening hole (not shown) of the slider (not shown).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the key ring illustrated in FIG. 2. This view of the key ring highlights 4 compartments (A, B, C, D), 3 walls (2), two sliders (5) each being provided with a gripping zone (7). Each slider (5) being engaged in each displacement groove (4) having a first and a second closed ends thus delimiting the displacement of each slider (5). Said second end being located on the side of the zone provided with a key exit orifice and said first end being located opposite said second end. A portion (10) of said first planar face (3) is located between said second end of said displacement groove (4) and the end of the holster (1) on the side of the area provided with an outlet port of key. The portion (10) of said first planar face (3) thus defined has a length less than that of the connecting means (6).

When using the key ring, the user may wish to slide a slider (5) by applying a pressure on the gripping area (7) of the slider (5) so as to slide the key of a first position to a second position. The first position can be that where the key is housed in the case (1) and the second position that where the key is presented to the user. When the key is exposed outside the case (1), it is maintained by the user and remains, at the same time, in connection with the case (1), during its handling.

In addition, the slider 5D of the first plane face (3) is provided to move the key housed in the compartment D and the slider 5B the key housed in the compartment B. The sliders present on the second plane face (3) of the case (1) allow to move the keys housed in the compartments C and A. This arrangement alternately advantageously allows to save the volume of the key ring.

FIG. 5 illustrates a slider (5) according to the invention which comprises a gripping zone (7), a flat zone (11) and a fastening zone (12) provided with a through fastening orifice (8). The slider (5) illustrated advantageously has a hook (13) which is arranged to enter a stop against one end of a displacement groove (4) as defined in the present invention. Said end is preferably that located on the side of the zone provided with a key exit port. The cursor (5) of FIG. 5 thus defines two planes which are perpendicular. Indeed, the gripping zone (7) of the slider (5) is inscribed in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the attachment zone (12) of the slider (5) is inscribed. Thus, when the slider (5) is placed in the displacement groove (4) of the first plane face (3) of the Case (1) of the present invention, it is in a plane substantially parallel to the plane formed by said first planar face (3).

Figure 6 illustrates a preferred connecting means (6) of the present invention. The connecting means (6) comprises a rod which consists of two preferably rectilinear elements (14a and 14b). The first (14a) and second (14b) elements form straight rods and each have two ends. The first element (14a) is surmounted by the second element (14b). The first and second elements are connected by a curved line. The first member is adapted to engage a fixing hole (8) and the second member overcomes the first member. The first and second elements can be discarded to be able, for example, to release a key.

Figure 7 shows a wall (2) according to the present invention. The wall (2) has at one of its ends a toothed shape that allows to easily fit the wall (2) in the case (1). In this way, the case (1) of the present invention can be easily assembled or disassembled.

Figure 8 shows a preferred connecting means (6) according to the present invention and an advantageous slider (5). The connecting means (6) comprises a rod (14) and a curved line (16). The rod consists of a first element provided with an orifice (17) at one of its ends and a second rectilinear element (18) intended to be reversibly introduced into the first element provided with an orifice (17). The curved line (16) extends from the first member (7) to the second straight member (18) and thereby forms the preferred connecting means (6) of the present invention.

The slider (5) comprises the same elements as those described in Figure 5 except that it does not include a hook (13). In addition, this slider (5) comprises at one of its ends a flat area (1) and a fastening area (12). This embodiment saves the space occupied by the slider (5) when it is inserted into a displacement groove (4) of the present invention. In addition, placing the flat area (11) and the fastening area (12) at one end of the slider (5) also makes it possible to bring the connecting means (6) and therefore the key of one of the walls closer together. (2) of the case (1) so as to improve its movement when using the key ring according to the invention.

The connection means (6) illustrated in FIG. 8 can therefore engage in the fixing orifice (8) of the slider (5). Practically, it is sufficient to introduce the first element (17) of the rod (4) provided with an orifice into the fixing hole (8) of the slider (5) so that it conforms to the shape said fixing hole (8). Part of the connecting means (6) is therefore sufficiently maintained in said fixing hole (8) of the slider (5). The second rectilinear element (18) of the rod (14) is arranged to be engaged in the fixing hole (8) of the slider (5) by its attachment to the first element (17) provided with an orifice. When the connecting means (6) is engaged in the fixing hole (8) of the slider (5), it can easily be opened by releasing the second rectilinear element (18) from the fixing hole (8) of the slider (5) and the orifice of the first element (17) which remains fixed to said attachment zone (12).

FIG. 9 illustrates a first flat face (3), a case (1), two sliders (5) provided with a gripping zone (7), two displacement grooves (4), an orifice (22) and a a support zone (19). The latter is preferential and allows the user to have access to the link means (not shown) to be able to substitute the key. This mode is used when the connecting means (6) is difficult to access. The application of pressure on the bearing area (19) allows to move rectilinearly the first planar face (3) of the case (1) without disassembling the key ring. Thus, the first pivot face (3) can be advanced beyond the end of the area provided with a key exit port. This therefore allows access to the connecting means (6) to release the key and thus replace it.

Figure 10 shows one of the faces of a case (1) provided with two notches (21), three sliders (5), two projections (20), located on the flat faces (3), and an orifice (22). Each notch (21) accommodates a projection (20) which can slide in the space defined by the notch (21). In this way, the application of a pressure on the bearing zone (9) pushes the projection (20) into the notch (21) and makes it possible to slide the first plane face (3) beyond the zone provided with a key exit port. The orifice (22) located on one end of the case (1) allows to hang a tongue, for example leather, to be able to hold the key ring by means of said tongue. FIG. 11 shows a first pivot face (3), two displacement grooves (4) and a projection (20) of a key ring according to the present invention.

The case (1) according to the present invention may advantageously have a rectangular or oval or parailelepiped shape and be made of synthetic material, metal, wood, polymer or covered with leather, leather upholstery, velvet.

It is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Key fob comprising a partially closed case (1) defining an interior space separated from an external environment provided with at least a first plane face (3) comprising a displacement groove (4) and a zone provided with at least one key exit port, a slider (5) comprising a gripping area (7) and a planar area (11), said gripping area (7) projecting towards said external environment and extending to one end of said planar zone (1 1), said planar zone (1 1) being engaged and guided by said displacement groove (4) and connecting means (6) arranged to hold a key,

characterized in that said planar area of said slider (5) comprises an attachment area (12) projecting towards said interior space and extending at an end opposite to that of which said gripping area (7) extends and being provided, at said end, with a through-hole (8), said through-hole (8) being inscribed in a first plane perpendicular to said first planar face (3), and in that said connecting means ( 6) is arranged to engage said fixing hole (8) passing through said slider (5) by means of a first straight rod (16) transversely to said first plane, said first rod being provided with two ends of which extend a curved line connecting them to each other, said curved line being arranged to engage in a through hole of a key.

2. Keychain according to claim 1, wherein said first planar face (3) comprises a plurality of displacement grooves (4) for at least one slider (5).

3. Keychain according to claim 2, wherein said first planar face (3) comprises a plurality of sliders (5).

4. Keychain according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second planar face.

5. Keychain according to claim 4, wherein said second planar face comprises a plurality of displacement grooves (4) for at least one slider (5).

6. Keychain according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said second planar face comprises a plurality of sliders (5).

The key fob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each displacement groove has first and second closed ends forming stops for moving said slider, said second end being located on the side of said zone provided with at least one key exit port.

The key fob of any preceding claim, wherein a portion (10) of said first planar face

(3), located between said second end each displacement groove

(4) and the end of said case (1) located on the side of said zone provided with at least one outlet port of Cie, has a length less than the length of said connecting means (6).

9. Keychain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said case (1) comprises a wall (2).

10. Keychain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each planar area (11) of each slider

(5) and each attachment zone (12) of said slider (5) are located at one end of the surface of said slider.

The key fob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first straight rod consists of a first member and a second member of which the curved line extends, each of said first and second members being arranged to be connected in a manner reversible to said through hole (8).

12. The key fob of claim 11, wherein said first member of said rod is provided with an orifice (17) at one of its ends and said second element of said first rod is rectilinear. and is arranged to be reversibly introduced into the first member provided with an orifice (17).

13. The key fob according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the case (1) comprises a face provided with at least one entail (21) located at the end opposite said zone provided with at least one orifice of key exit.

14. Keychain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said case (1) has a rectangular or oval or parallelepiped shape.

15. Keychain according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said case (1) is made of synthetic material, metal, wood, polymer or covered with leather, leather upholstery, velvet.