US3696649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key case
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-01
•
Granted: 1972-10-10
•
Expires: 1991-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A convenient key case having one or more pockets structured to have a non-removable but rotatable holding means for each pocket to hold a key having a head and a body and to move a desired key to a load, store or use position. An adaptor is adhered to the head of the key to maintain a desired relationship with the holding means disregarding the shape of the head. At the load position the key is easily and quickly inserted in or removed from the holding means. At the store position the key is properly stored in the pocket of the case. At the use position the body of the key is exposed at a proper position with ability to swing and a part of the head always remains inside the pocket and nondetachable from the holding means.
Inventors
- 👤 Ho Chow
- 👤 Junlin Wong Chow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:29
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C11/00; A45C11/32; A45C11/324; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/80; Y10T70/8432; Y10T70/8676
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A key case comprising a housing having at least one pocket each said pocket having enough space to store a key, said key having a head with an aperture and a body, a key adaptor adhered to the head of said key to form a flat end and limit the size of said aperture, and a holding means in each said pocket nonremovable but rotatable from said housing having a swing with a button engaged with said aperture as limited by said key adaptor and a holding spring to engage the flat end of said key adaptor and capable to move said key to any one of three positions, namely; load, store and use position, at said load position having said key easily inserted in and removed from said holding means, at said store position having said key kept properly inside said pocket, and at said use position having said body of said key completely exposed from said pocket at a proper position with ability to swing and having a part of said head and said button inside said pocket and non-detachable from said key case.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A key case comprising a housing having at least one pocket each said pocket having enough space to store a key, said key having a head with an aperture and a body, a key adaptor adhered to the head of said key to form a flat end and limit the size of said aperture, and a holding means in each said pocket nonremovable but rotatable from said housing having a swing with a button engaged with said aperture as limited by said key adaptor and a holding spring to engage the flat end of said key adaptor and capable to move said key to any one of three positions, namely; load, store and use position, at said load position having said key easily inserted in and removed from said holding means, at said store position having said key kept properly inside said pocket, and at said use position having said body of said key completely exposed from said pocket at a proper position with ability to swing and having a part of said head and said button inside said pocket and non-detachable from said key case.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The key case of claim 1 in which said holding means is maneuverable with one hand to move said key to any one of three said positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The key case of claim 1 in which at least one key is removable from said key case with one hand while another key in its use position is being engaged in a lock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The key case of claim 1 in which one key in its use position engaged in a lock is able to be moved to its load position for detaching said key case with other keys from said key engaged in said lock by the maneuvering of one hand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The key case of claim 1 in which said swing has a hole enabling said key case to hang on a hook for storaging purpose at any one of said holding means at its use position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The key case of claim 1 in which said housing consists of an outer case, a cover and a number of inner cases depending on the number of said pockets to be formed and said cases and cover are held together to contain said holding means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The key case of claim 1 in which said key adaptor has two thin plates adjacent to said flat end to form a U-shape and one slot in each said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The key case of claim 1 in which said swing has a spring member to eject said key from said store position to said use position upon the releasing of a first control means in association with said swing, and said swing in said use position is held by a second control means and said spring member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The key case of claim 8 in which said spring member ejects said key from said use position to said load position upon the releasing of said second control means in association with said swing, and said swing in said load position is held by said spring member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The key case of claim 9 in which said first and second conTrol means for pockets at the same side of said housing are located next to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The key case of claim 10 in which said housing has a visible and distinctive shape sensible by a finger for said pockets at the same side of said housing for selecting the desired key in darkness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The key case of claim 8 in which said spring member is a torsion spring which is automatically engaged between said swing and said housing upon the assembling of said holding means to said housing at said load position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The key case of claim 9 in which a leaf spring provided to hold said first and second control means against said swing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The key case of claim 9 in which said housing has two uninterrupted panels with ample space to satisfy various marketing requirements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |