US3715900A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key retainer
Assignee: ARANAR MARKETING SERVICES Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-09
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1990-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A key retainer comprising generally a loop of resilient material having only one discontinuity provided by substantially facing adjacent ends thereof. This loop normally is slidably disposed within a sleeve, in a fashion such that one end thereof forms a relatively large ring for holding several keys whose ready removal normally is not required, and the opposite end thereof forms a smaller ring for holding a key or keys whose ready removal is desired.
Inventors
- 👤 A Sherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:02
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44B; A44B15/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/80; Y10T70/8432; Y10T70/8676
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A key retainer comprising, in combination: a sleeve having a slot therein, said slot having spaced-apart, parallel side walls; and a loop of resilient material which is substantially rectangular-shaped having opposite longer sides which slidably and frictionally engage respective ones of said side walls of said slot, the opposite ends of said loop extending from said sleeve forming a first and a second ring, respectively, for receiving keys, the opposite free ends of said loop being in spaced-apart, facing relationship so as to form a discontinuity in said loop for permitting keys to be inserted onto said loop, said discontinuity being disposed in said loop such that it normally is concealed by said sleeve and such that said loop must be removed from said sleeve to remove keys from said first ring and keys on said second ring must be removed before said loop can be removed from said sleeve, said keys on said second ring being removable by slidably extending said loop through said sleeve to expose said discontinuity, cooperating locking means comprising at least one projection on said side wall of said slot which matingly engages a convolution in said opposite longer side of said loop, the resiliency of said loop releasably lockingly engaging said convolution and said projection to releasably lock said loop within said sleeve in at least one locking position, said discontinuity being concealed by said sleeve when said loop is releasably locked in said sleeve in said one locking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A key retainer comprising, in combination: a sleeve having a slot therein, said slot having spaced-apart, parallel side walls; and a loop of resilient material which is substantially rectangular-shaped having opposite longer sides which slidably and frictionally engage respective ones of said side walls of said slot, the opposite ends of said loop extending from said sleeve forming a first and a second ring, respectively, for receiving keys, the opposite free ends of said loop being in spaced-apart, facing relationship so as to form a discontinuity in said loop for permitting keys to be inserted onto said loop, said discontinuity being disposed in said loop such that it normally is concealed by said sleeve and such that said loop must be removed from said sleeve to remove keys from said first ring and keys on said second ring must be removed before said loop can be removed from said sleeve, said keys on said second ring being removable by slidably extending said loop through said sleeve to expose said discontinuity, cooperating locking means comprising at least one projection on said side wall of said slot which matingly engages a convolution in said opposite longer side of said loop, the resiliency of said loop releasably lockingly engaging said convolution and said projection to releasably lock said loop within said sleeve in at least one locking position, said discontinuity being concealed by said sleeve when said loop is releasably locked in said sleeve in said one locking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
246 words
A key retainer comprising, in combination: a sleeve having a slot therein, said slot having spaced-apart, parallel side walls; and a loop of resilient material which is substantially rectangular-shaped having opposite longer sides which slidably and frictionally engage respective ones of said side walls of said slot, the opposite ends of said loop extending from said sleeve forming a first and a second ring, respectively, for receiving keys, the opposite free ends of said loop being in spaced-apart, facing relationship so as to form a discontinuity in said loop for permitting keys to be inserted onto said loop, said discontinuity being disposed in said loop such that it normally is concealed by said sleeve and such that said loop must be removed from said sleeve to remove keys from said first ring and keys on said second ring must be removed before said loop can be removed from said sleeve, said keys on said second ring being removable by slidably extending said loop through said sleeve to expose said discontinuity, cooperating locking means comprising at least one projection on said side wall of said slot which matingly engages a convolution in said opposite longer side of said loop, the resiliency of said loop releasably lockingly engaging said convolution and said projection to releasably lock said loop within said sleeve in at least one locking position, said discontinuity being concealed by said sleeve when said loop is releasably locked in said sleeve in said one locking position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
246 words
A key retainer comprising, in combination: a sleeve having a slot therein, said slot having spaced-apart, parallel side walls; and a loop of resilient material which is substantially rectangular-shaped having opposite longer sides which slidably and frictionally engage respective ones of said side walls of said slot, the opposite ends of said loop extending from said sleeve forming a first and a second ring, respectively, for receiving keys, the opposite free ends of said loop being in spaced-apart, facing relationship so as to form a discontinuity in said loop for permitting keys to be inserted onto said loop, said discontinuity being disposed in said loop such that it normally is concealed by said sleeve and such that said loop must be removed from said sleeve to remove keys from said first ring and keys on said second ring must be removed before said loop can be removed from said sleeve, said keys on said second ring being removable by slidably extending said loop through said sleeve to expose said discontinuity, cooperating locking means comprising at least one projection on said side wall of said slot which matingly engages a convolution in said opposite longer side of said loop, the resiliency of said loop releasably lockingly engaging said convolution and said projection to releasably lock said loop within said sleeve in at least one locking position, said discontinuity being concealed by said sleeve when said loop is releasably locked in said sleeve in said one locking position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
The key retainer of claim 1, wherein said slot in said sleeve has spaced-apart, parallel side walls and said loop of resilient material is substantially rectangular-shaped having opposite longer sides which slidably and frictionally engage respective ones of said opposite side walls of said slot, cooperating locking means on both said opposite side walls of said slot and on both said opposite longer sides of said loop for releasably locking said loop within said sleeve in at least one locking position, said discontinuity being concealed by said sleeve when said loop is releasably locked in said sleeve in said one locking position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The key retainer of claim 2 wherein said cooperating locking means comprise at least on projection on each of said opposite side walls of said slot which matingly engage a convolution in each of said opposite longer sides of said loop, the resiliency of said loop releasably lockingly engaging said convolutions and said projections to releasably lock said loop in said locking position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |