US3765201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key holder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-10-16
•
Granted: 1973-10-16
•
Expires: 1992-10-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved key holder comprising a retention member including a base and a pair of spaced-apart arm members extending from the base in parallel relationship and an enclosure receiving the retention member and retaining the arm members in a predetermined relationship to preclude removal of a key from between the cooperating arms which engage and detachably hold a key. The retention member is removable from the enclosure to permit the arm members to be moved apart against the inherent resiliency thereof to permit removal of a selected key. In a modification cam means are provided between the enclosure and retention member to help urge the free ends of the cooperating arms toward one another when the retention member is seated in the enclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 D Humphrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:14
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: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An improved key holder adapted to hold a key of the type having a head with retaining means therein and a shank portion, said key holder including a retention member comprising a base and spaced-apart arm members extending from said base in parallel relationship, each arm member having engaging means facing toward the opposed engaging means and being biased to engage with the retaining means in the key and detachably hold the key, and an enclosure receiving said retention member and retaining the arm members in a predetermined relationship to preclude removal of a key from between the cooperating arms, said enclosure including a base and a pair of cooperating arm members extending therefrom, the outermost arm members of the retention member having only a single inwardly facing engaging means and the other arm members each have oppositely extending engaging means, with adjacent opposed engaging means cooperating to retain a key, said outermost arm members engaging in a trackway in the enclosure and gripping means provided on the outermost arm members to help facilitate removal of the retention member from the enclosure, said retention member being movable from said enclosure to permit said arm members on said retention member to be moved apart to permit removal of a key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
An improved key holder adapted to hold a key of the type having a head with retaining means therein and a shank portion, said key holder including a retention member comprising a base and spaced-apart arm members extending from said base in parallel relationship, each arm member having engaging means facing toward the opposed engaging means and being biased to engage with the retaining means in the key and detachably hold the key, and an enclosure receiving said retention member and retaining the arm members in a predetermined relationship to preclude removal of a key from between the cooperating arms, said enclosure including a base and a pair of cooperating arm members extending therefrom, the outermost arm members of the retention member having only a single inwardly facing engaging means and the other arm members each have oppositely extending engaging means, with adjacent opposed engaging means cooperating to retain a key, said outermost arm members engaging in a trackway in the enclosure and gripping means provided on the outermost arm members to help facilitate removal of the retention member from the enclosure, said retention member being movable from said enclosure to permit said arm members on said retention member to be moved apart to permit removal of a key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
An improved key holder adapted to hold a key of the type having a head with retaining means therein and a shank portion, said key holder including retention member comprising a base and spaced-apart arm members extending from said base in parallel relationship, each arm member having engaging means facing toward opposed engaging means and being biased to engage with the retaining means in the key and detachably hold the key, an enclosure receiving said retention member and retaining the arm members in a predetermined relationship to preclude removal of a key from between the cooperating arms, said retention member being movable from said enclosure to permit said arm members to be moved apart to permit removal of a key, and detachably supporting the retention member on the enclosure, said detachable engaging means comprising a lever on the retention member which engages in and is removable from a cooperating opening in the enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
153 words
An improved key holder adapted to hold a key of the type having a head with retaining means therein and a shank portion, said key holder including retention member comprising a base and spaced-apart arm members extending from said base in parallel relationship, each arm member having engaging means facing toward opposed engaging means and being biased to engage with the retaining means in the key and detachably hold the key, an enclosure receiving said retention member and retaining the arm members in a predetermined relationship to preclude removal of a key from between the cooperating arms, said retention member being movable from said enclosure to permit said arm members to be moved apart to permit removal of a key, and detachably supporting the retention member on the enclosure, said detachable engaging means comprising a lever on the retention member which engages in and is removable from a cooperating opening in the enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A key holder as in claim 2 wherein the retaining means in the key comprises an opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A key holder as in claim 3 wherein the engaging means on each arm member comprises a projection, with cooperating projectiOns facing each other and being adapted to engage in said opening in a key to retain the key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A key holder as in claim 2 wherein said base and spaced-apart arm members of the retention member are formed integrally from a resilient material, said ends of said arm members being inherently biased toward one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A key holder as in claim 5 wherein the arm members of the retention member are cantilevered from said base and the ends of adjacent arm members are biased toward one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A key holder as in claim 5 wherein the outermost arm members of the retention member have only a single inwardly facing projection and the other arm members each have oppositely extending projections, with adjacent opposed projection cooperating to retain a key.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A key holder as in claim 7 wherein the outermost arm members engage in a trackway in the enclosure and gripping means are provided on the outermost arm members to help facilitate removal of the retention member from the enclosure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A key holder as in claim 2 wherein the cooperating opening is in the rear of the enclosure and the lever is constructed and arranged so as to cooperate with said cooperating opening whether the retention member is inserted into the enclosure in a first position or a second position inverted 180* from the first position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A key holder as in claim 2 including cam means between the outermost arm members of the retention means and the side walls of the enclosure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A key holder as in claim 10 wherein the ends of the outermost arm members of the retention member are tapered outwardly so as to urge the free ends of the arm members together when the retention member is seated fully in the enclosure.
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) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |