US2559946A - Key case - Google Patents

Description

y 1951 H. c. CRAIG ET AL 2,559,946

KEY CASE Filed Aug. 14, 1946 Inventor l/sz N 6. (kw/6. PV/LLl/iM KEEN Patented July 1 O, 195l UNITED ST S PATENT j. OFFICE KEY gAsE Helen (J. Craig and William E. Keen, Miami, Fla. 7

Application August 14, 194 Serial No. 690,580 1 lClaim. (o1. '7o 456) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in key cases for conveniently carrying keys in a readily accessible position.

An important object of the invention is to provide a key casein which the keys are normally retained in a concealed position in the case together with means for swinging the keys outwardly into an exposed position for conveniently selecting one of the keys.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is neat and attractive in appearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing one of the keys in projected position.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the key ejecting lever in position for projecting the keys from the case.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View taken on a line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on a line 4-4 of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein for the purpose of illustration we have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention the numeral 5 designates the key case generally which comprises a pair of side plates 6 of substantially oval shape and having their longitudinal side edges bent outwardly and upon itself to provide flanges l spaced from the outer surface of the plate and with the inner edges of the flanges of the plates spaced from each other to provide a slot 8 therebetween.

A rivet or the like 9 connects one end of the plates to each other and on which a plurality of keys Ill are swingably mounted for swinging into and out of position between the plates, the keys being concealed between the plates when in a retracted position and the keys projecting from one end of the plates when the latter are swung outwardly from the case.

A key ejecting lever is designated generally at II and is of hollow construction and with its free end rounded as indicated at I2 to conform to the contour of the plates 6 when the lever is in its closed position. The other end of the lever I I is open as indicated at I3 and is pivoted at each side to the inside of the plates 6 by means of rivets or the like l4.

One side edge of the lever II at its open end is cut away as indicated at I5 whereby to permit entrance of the keys It into the open end of the lever when the lever is moved into its closed position between "the plates 6.

A corner I6 at the other side edge of the lever and at the open end thereof is positioned to swing against one edge of the keys II) when the lever is swung outwardly from the case as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings whereby to swing the keys outwardly from the case into position for conveniently selecting one of the keys and to thus grip the key and insert the same into its key-hole opening.

The lever II is retained in its closed position between the plates 6 by means of outwardly pressed knobs I! at the sides of the lever adapted to enter openings I8 in the plates 6 adjacent the ends thereof opposite from the rivet 9. The knobs I! also project into the slots 8 and function as stops at one end of the slots to retain coins I9 in position under the flanges I at the sides of the case, the heads or ends 20 of the rivet 9 likewise functioning as stops at the other ends of the slots 8 to prevent accidental displacement of the coins.

It will be apparent that upon swinging the lever I I outwardly toward one side of the case that the keys Ill will be projected toward an opposite side thereof for selecting one of the keys and the outward swinging movement of the lever will also remove the knobs I! to enable withdrawal of one of the coins I9 from their side of the case. Also upon closing of the lever I I with keys therein, said keys will prevent said lever from being swung outwardly of the opposite side of the case. This prevents projection of the keys out of said opposite side of the case if the lever is accidentally swung in closing past its proper closing position. Upon closing the lever II the knobs I! will snap into the openings I8 of the plates 6.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description accordingly is deemed unnecessary. V

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and. described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully compre-.

hended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claim.

We claim as our invention:

A key case comprising a pair of opposed spaced apart plates, a pin at one end of said plates securing the same together in parallel relation, said pin being adapted to have keys pivoted thereon between the plates for swinging outwardly from between the plates, and a hollow lever pivoted between said plates for swinging into and out of parallel relation to said plates, said lever having an opening at one end extending part way along 7 one side edge of the lever whereby said lever may be swung into parallel relation to the plates with:

keys to swing the same out from betweensaid plates and out of said end of the lever upon swinging of said lever in one direction out ofparallel relation to the plates, said keys when in 4 serted in said end of the lever preventing swinging of said keys out of said end of the lever by swinging of said lever in the opposite direction out from between said plates.

HELEN C. CRAIG. WILLIAM E. KEEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Olson June 7, 1949

Images