US2599660A - Quick disconnect key holder - Google Patents

Description

June 10, 1952 p PQUTINEN 2,599,660

QUICK DISCONNECT KEY HOLDER Filed April 4, 1950 8 27 4| FIGJO INVENTOR.

Paul T. Poutinen BY Patented June 10, 1952 UNITED STATES ICK D IWWNE IKE Q Q PW fi iiten. I]. Applicationfipril'd, 1950 seiei'a'iffia'istiiisz 1 This invention relates to a holder ion-keys from which a'chain with a bunch of keys thereon may be quickly disconnectedor separated-from the holder for use. a

Bunches of keys are usually carried -in-the pockets or pocket books or-hand bags onchains thus making it necessary to make the chain small and, theiastening latches correspondingly small with the result that it is difficult to manipulate the fastening latches making it troublesome and time wasting to remove the keys.

It is desirable to carry all keys on a single holder for convenience and to save spac'eand it is also often found desirable to keep the keys for the house, for example, in a bunch separate from the bunch of keys for the automobile and garage, for example, so that either bunch may be removed from the holder and handed to a person for use. i a

It is a primeobject of the present invention to provide a device for holding chains of keys at both of its ends, with at least one chain with the keys thereon'beingquickly separated or disconnected from the device for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ke holder with means for quickly mounting and demounting a key chain therefrom.

Still another object is to provide a key holder with novel meansat one end for lockinga-key chain thereto. l

Yet another object is toprovide a holder of this kind that is simple and compact and convenient for carrying on the person.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description thereof to follow taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a key holder embodying one form of my invention, showing key chains supported at both ends.

Fig. 2 is a detail plan view showing a key chain supporting unit.

Fig. 3 is a detail fragmentary side view of the unit of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end view thereof looking from the left hand end.

Fig. 5 is an end view thereof looking from the right hand end.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the unit of Fig. 2 showing the stem in open position.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of key chain supporting unit, showing the stem in chain supporting position.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showin the stem in open position.

2 Claims. (cil-ite ts ni IiFig-Q 9 is' a sectional view-takenzon.the plane of -the lirie .s-aor Fi l Fig. 10 is atplan viewpartly in section showing another modified term .of. key .holder. embodying myinvention.1 Fig. 11 is a side view of another modification.

Referring to 4the. drawing; the formofkey hclder sl'iown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive comprises anelongated cylindrical body. I0 of metal, preferably tubular. At one end, the body is closed and hasflanopening ll. extending therethrough for receivinggan.endlesschain 12 for holding a launcher-keys? Iii-thereon. Thechain is provided:- with. the usual fastening latch M for fastening :and: .iunfastenin .its ends.

The-oppositeend ofthe body. is. closed by a key holding unit: comprising a tubular casing l5 fitted therein?" The casingihas an extension iii of reduceddiameten the bottom inner end of said extension forming an inner shoulder :I'I. Slid- 'ableithrough the extension l6 and the casing I5 is-astem or plunger It. The stem is formed with an internally screw threadedsocket portion l9laxiallyof its inner end for receiving the shank .of a screw 20.: Encircling the inner end portion ofthe stem l8 is a helical spring 2|. One end of:theispringrseatson the head 22 of the screw .andfits other'endimpinges against the shoulder I] of the casingiwhereby the stem I8 is urged inwardlyfof the casing; :When the stem is inits innermostfposition;the head of the screw closes :the: open inner? end of the casing. The screw lserves to: adjust the. pressure of the spring.

J-The out'er end'of the stem l8 projects beyond the extension 16 of the casing and is formed with a head 23 which is notched as indicated at 24 forming a nose portion 25, or hook portion. The tip of the nose or hook portion is adapted to engage the upper edge of the extension I B and with said extension forms an enclosure 26 as shown in Figure 2 for receiving and locking an endless chain 21 carrying keys 28.

The stem is guided in its movement through the extension and easing by the head 22 of the screw 20 and by a pin 29 carried by the stem and riding in an elongated slot 30 formed in the stem I 8 and intersecting its outer edge.

When it is desired to separate or disconnect the chain 21 with its keys 28 from the holder, it is merely necessary to pull manually on the chain in the direction of the axis of the casing l5 against the action of spring 2| whereby the stem or plunger will be moved outwardly of the extension l6 of the casing carrying its nose or hook portion 25 away from the upper or outer edge of the extension l6 and carrying its pin 29 beyond and free of the slot 30 and of the outer edge of the extension. The stem is then given a partial turn to bring its pin 29 to one side of the slot 30. When the manual pulling pressure is released, the stem will be forced inwardly by the action of the spring 2i on the head of the screw 29 until its pin 29 engages and abuts against the outer edge of the extension It thereby holding the stem in its outward position as shown in Fig. 6. The enclosure 26 will thus be opened and the chain 21 with its keys may be quickly separated and disconnected from the hook or nose portion of the stem for use.

To replace the chain 27 with its keys on the holder, it is placed under the hook or nose portion 25 of the stem and the stem given a partial turn back until its pin 29 registers with the slot 30 to permit the spring 2! to pull or force the stem inwardly of the casing and extension and bring its nose or hook portion into engagement with the outer edge of the extension to lock the chain on the holder again.

The chain i2 with its keys l3 may be separated from the holder by unfasternng its latching member M as is usual.

In the modified form of chain holding unit shown in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, the stem Si is formed with an annular groove 32 therearound and with an elongated groove 93 therealong. The

extension 34 of the casing 35 is provided with an inwardly extending lug 35 adapted to slide in the groove 33 when the stem is pulled outwardly or moved inwardly of the extension. In order to hold the stem in outermost position or open position, the stem is given a partial turn until its slot 33 is moved laterally of the lug 36 whereupon the lug engages the shoulder 37 on the stem formed by the annular groove 32 and prevents inward movement of the stem. To retract the E stem, it is turned back until the slot or groove 33 registers with the lug 39 whereupon the'spring 98 will forcethe stem inwardly.

In Fig. 10, the chain supporting unit of Fig. 2 is shown slidably mounted in and closing one end of a casing 39 of a flashlight. The casing l of the unit is slidably positioned and is provided with a central protuberance 49 which is adapted to engage the central contact M of the battery 42 for closing the circuit through the lamp (not shown) in the flashlight, when the easing it is manually moved inwardly. The other end of the flashlight casing supports an endless chain 43 or the like with its keys 44 in the usual manner.

In Fig. 11, a flashlight 45 is shown having one end supporting and closed by a chain supporting unit as in Fig. 10, but in this form of unit the outer end of the head 46 of the stem I8 is enlarged or elongated and is provided with an opening 41 for receiving an'endless chain 48 or the like with keys 49. No key chain is provided at the opposite end of the flashlight 45.

It will be understood that instead of an endless chain for holding the keys, any suitable type of chain or other flexible fastening member or a metal ring may be used for holding the keys.

I claim:

1. A quick detachable key holder comprising an elongated tubular body closed at one end and having a key chain supporting unit closing the other end of the body including a tubular casing and a spring controlled stem slidable in said casing, said stem having a notched portion adapted to coact with said tubular casing for detachably receiving a key chain and means for holding the stem in moved position including a pin carried by the stem adapted to abut against the end of the tubular casing.

2. A quick detachable key holder comprising an elongated tubular body closed at one end and having a key chain supporting unit closing the other end of the body including a tubular casing and a spring controlled stem slidable in said casing, said stem having a notched portion adapted to coact with said tubular casing for detachably receiving a key chain and means for holding the stem in moved position including a slot and stud connection between the stem and tubular casing.

PAUL T. POUTINEN.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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