| |
| United States Patent
|
5,809,814 |
| Cons |
September 22, 1998
|
Keyholder system
Abstract
A keyholder is described having a soft nylon cord, looped to hold
keys, with both ends of the nylon loop capturable in a cord capture
device. The cord capture is of the type which permits passing of the
cord through aligned holes in a casing and in a button in the
casing, where the button compresses a spring to align the holes.
When the button/spring is released, any cord segment in the cord
capture is prevented from movement through the holes. One end of the
nylon cord has a clip on it to prevent that end from passing through
the cord capture; and advertising indicia may be put on a surface
attached to the clip. A preferred method for making the keyholder is
described, including protecting the cord ends from fraying.
| Inventors: |
Cons; David A. (Phoenix,
AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
08/679,844 |
| Filed: |
July 15, 1996 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
70/457 ;
40/330; 70/459 |
| Current
International Class: |
A44B
15/00 (20060101); F16G 11/00 (20060101); F16G
11/10 (20060101); A44B 015/00 () |
| Field of
Search: |
70/456 R-460/
40/330,634 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Dino; Suzanne
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A keyholder system for keys comprising, in combination:
a. cord means, having a first end and a second end, for passing
through at least one said key;
b. cord capture means, having a first position and a second
position, for releasably capturing said cord means near said first
end and for releasing and recapturing of said cord means near said
second end of said cord means while maintaining capture of said cord
means near said first end of said cord means;
c. whereby a releasable loop is provided in said cord means for
holding at least one said key;
d. wherein said first position of said cord capture means permits
movement of said cord means, both near said first end and near said
second end, through said cord capture means; and
e. wherein said second position of said cord capture means entirely
prevents movement of said cord means through said cord capture mean.
2. A keyholder system according to claim 1 further comprising:
a. obstruction means at said first end of said cord means for
preventing said first end of said cord means from movement through
said cord capture means.
3. A keyholder system according to claim 2 further comprising:
a. advertising means on said obstruction means for providing
viewable indicia.
4. A keyholder system according to claim 3 wherein said obstruction
means comprises hinged clip means for closing about and firmly
holding said first end of said cord means.
5. A keyholder system according to claim 4 wherein said advertising
means comprises:
a. a golf-ball-marker-type device having a flat surface and a stem;
b. wherein said stem is attached to said hinged clip means.
6. A keyholder system according to claim 1 further comprising:
a. obstructive means at said first end of said cord means for
assisting in said maintaining capture of said first end of said cord
means in said cord capture means.
7. A keyholder system according to claim 1 wherein said second end
of said cord means comprises an anti-fraying structure.
8. A keyholder system according to claim 1 wherein said cord means
comprises woven strands of nylon.
9. A keyholder system according to claim 8 wherein said second end
of said cord means comprises an anti-fraying structure wherein said
woven strands of nylon at said second end of said cord means are
sealed together.
10. A keyholder system according to claim 9 wherein said woven
strands of nylon are heat-sealed together at said second end of said
cord means in such manner as to allow a non-obstructed passage
through said cord capture means.
11. A keyholder system according to claim 1 wherein said cord
capture means, when in said second position, is constructed and
arranged to simultaneously capture said cord means at spaced
multiple locations along said cord means, whereby the size of said
loop may be modified.
12. A keyholder system according to claim 11 wherein said cord
capture means comprises compressible spring means wherein:
a. said spring means is compressed when said cord capture means is
in said first position; and
b. said spring means is uncompressed when said cord capture means is
in said second position.
13. A keyholder system for keys comprising, in combination:
a. a cord comprising woven strands of nylon, having a first end and
a second end, structured and arranged for passing through at least
one said key;
b. a cord capture, having a first position and a second position,
structured and arranged for releasably capturing said cord, wherein
i. said first position of said cord capture permits movement of said
cord through said cord capture, and
ii. said second position of said cord capture prevents movement of
said cord through said cord capture;
c. wherein said cord capture includes a compressible spring wherein:
i. said spring is compressed when said cord capture is in said first
position, and
ii. said spring is uncompressed when said cord capture is in said
second position;
d. a hinged clip structured and arranged for closing about and
firmly holding said first end of said cord, said clip being further
structured and arranged for preventing said first end of said cord
from movement through said cord capture;
e. a golf-ball-marker-type device having a flat surface and a stem,
said stem being attached to said clip, and said flat surface
comprising advertising means providing viewable indicia;
f. wherein said woven strands of nylon are heat-sealed together at
each said end of said cord.
14. A keyholder system according to claim 13 wherein a color of a
said cord is selectable to distinguish a first said keyholder system
from an other said keyholder system.
15. A keyholder system comprising the manufacturing steps of:
a. providing a hinged clip, having a main body and a closing body,
structured and arranged for closing about and firmly holding a first
end of a cord;
b. providing a golf-ball-marker-type plastic device having a flat
surface and a cylindrical stem, said flat surface comprising
advertising means providing viewable indicia;
c. drilling a hole through said main body of said hinged clip, said
hole having essentially the diameter of said cylindrical stem;
d. pushing said stem through said main body in such manner that a
tip of said stem extends from the inside of said main body of said
hinged clip; and
e. melting said tip of said stem to harden formed as a knob
attaching said device to said main body.
16. A keyholder system according to claim 15 further comprising the
steps of:
a. providing a cord comprising woven strands of nylon, having a
first end and a second end, structured and arranged for passing
through at least one key;
b. flame-heating said first end of said cord to soften said first
end;
c. while said first end is softened, applying external pressure to
said first end in such manner as to heat-seal together said woven
strands of nylon at said first end.
17. A keyholder system according to claim 16 further comprising the
steps of:
a. placing said heat-sealed first end of said cord into said hinged
clip; and
b. closing said hinged clip in said manner as to firmly hold said
first end of said cord.
18. A keyholder system according to claim 17 further comprising the
steps of:
a. flame-heating said second end of said cord to soften said second
end; and
b. while said second end is softened, applying external pressure to
said second end in said manner as to heat-seal together said woven
strands of nylon at said second end.
19. A keyholder system according to claim 18 further comprising the
steps of:
a. providing a cord capture, having a first position and a second
position, structured and arranged for releasably capturing said
cord, wherein
i. said first position of said cord capture permits movement of said
cord through said cord capture, and
ii. said second position of said cord capture prevents movement of
said cord through said cord capture; and wherein said cord capture
includes a compressible spring wherein:
iii. said spring is compressed when said cord capture is in said
first position, and
iv. said spring is uncompressed when said cord capture is in said
second position; and
b. compressing said spring and, while said spring is compressed,
moving said second end of said cord through said cord capture to
form a keyholder loop for passing through and holding at least one
key.
20. A keyholder system according to claim 19 further comprising the
steps of:
a. maintaining said keyholder loop by
i. compressing said spring and, while said spring is compressed,
moving said second end of said cord back through said cord capture
sufficiently to maintain a desired size of said keyholder loop; and
ii. uncompressing said spring whereby said desired size of keyholder
loop is maintained.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to providing an improved keyholder system.
More particularly, this invention concerns such a keyholder system
wherein the ends of a looped cord for holding keys are captured,
thus preventing unwanted removal of the keys.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, in the prior art, keyholders are made of rigid materials,
usually in the form of a metal circle having enough elasticity to
get the keys on and off and/or to retain the ends of such circle.
Also, sometimes keyholders have been made of metal pullchains
(formed of a connected row of metal balls) with the ends held by a
retaining device to catch a ball at either end of the chain. There
have been many problems in using keyholder system of the prior art,
most notably: the usual lack of a sufficiently secure method of
avoiding the loss of a key; the usual lack of an efficient system
for removing or replacing keys on the keyholder, e.g., without
dropping them and/or without having unusual agility or strength; and
the usual lack of ability to get the right key in an efficient
position for use without interference from other keys or the
keyholder. Thus there are needs for an improved keyholder system.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the
above-mentioned needs by the provision of an improved keyholder
system. A further primary object of the present invention is to
provide such a keyholder system which is efficient, inexpensive, and
handy. Other objects of this invention will become apparent with
reference to the following invention descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this
invention provides a keyholder system for keys comprising, in
combination: cord means, having a first end and a second end, for
passing through at least one such key; cord capture means, having a
first position and a second position, for releasably capturing such
cord means near such first end and for releasing and recapturing of
such cord means near such second end of such cord means while
maintaining capture of such cord means near such first end of such
cord means; whereby a releasable loop is provided in such cord means
for holding at least one such key. Also provided is such keyholder
system wherein: such first position of such cord capture means
permits movement of such cord means through such cord capture means;
and such second position of such cord capture means prevents
movement of such cord means through such cord capture means; and,
further, wherein such cord capture means comprises compressible
spring means wherein such spring means is compressed when such cord
capture means is in such first position, and such spring means is
uncompressed when such cord capture means is in such second
position.
Moreover, the present invention provides such keyholder system
further comprising: obstruction means at such first end of such cord
means for preventing such first end of such cord means from movement
through such cord capture means; and, further, comprising
advertising means on such obstruction means for providing viewable
indicia; and, further, wherein such obstruction means comprises
hinged clip means for closing about and firmly holding such first
end of such cord means; and, further, wherein such advertising means
comprises a golf-ball-marker-type device having a flat surface and a
stem, wherein such stem is attached to such hinged clip means.
Additionally, this invention provides such a keyholder system
further comprising obstructive means at such first end of such cord
means for assisting in such maintaining capture of such first end of
such cord means in such cord capture means. It also provides such a
keyholder system wherein such second end of such cord means
comprises an anti-fraying structure; and, further, wherein such cord
means comprises woven strands of nylon; and, further, wherein such
second end of such cord means comprises an anti-fraying structure
wherein such woven strands of nylon at such second end of such cord
means are sealed together; and, further, wherein such woven strands
of nylon are heat-sealed together at each such end of such cord
means.
Even further, this invention provides, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment thereof, a keyholder system for keys
comprising, in combination: a cord comprising woven strands of
nylon, having a first end and a second end, structured and arranged
for passing through at least one such key; a cord capture, having a
first position and a second position, structured and arranged for
releasably capturing such cord, wherein such first position of such
cord capture permits movement of such cord through such cord
capture, and such second position of such cord capture prevents
movement of such cord through such cord capture; wherein such cord
capture includes a compressible spring wherein such spring is
compressed when such cord capture is in such first position, and
such spring is uncompressed when such cord capture is in such second
position; a hinged clip structured and arranged for closing about
and firmly holding such first end of such cord, such clip being
further structured and arranged for preventing such first end of
such cord from movement through such cord capture; a
golf-ball-marker-type device having a flat surface and a stem, such
stem being attached to such clip, and such flat surface comprising
advertising means providing viewable indicia; wherein such woven
strands of nylon are heat-sealed together at each such end of such
cord; and, further, wherein a color of a such cord is selectable to
distinguish a first such keyholder system from an other such
keyholder system.
This invention also provides, according to a preferred embodiment
thereof, a keyholder system comprising the manufacturing steps of:
providing a hinged clip, having a main body and a closing body,
structured and arranged for closing about and firmly holding a first
end of a cord; providing a golf-ball-marker-type plastic device
having a flat surface and a cylindrical stem, such flat surface
comprising advertising means providing viewable indicia; drilling a
hole through such main body of such hinged clip, such hole having
essentially the diameter of such cylindrical stem; pushing such stem
through such main body in such manner that a tip of such stem
extends from the inside of such main body of such hinged clip; and
melting such tip of such stem to harden formed as a knob attaching
such device to such main body. And this invention provides such a
keyholder system further comprising the steps of: providing a cord
comprising woven strands of nylon, having a first end and a second
end, structured and arranged for passing through at least one key;
flame-heating such first end of such cord to soften such first end;
while such first end is softened, applying external pressure to such
first end in such manner as to heat-seal together such woven strands
of nylon at such first end.
Yet additionally, this invention provides such a keyholder system
further comprising the steps of: placing such heat-sealed first end
of such cord into such hinged clip; and closing such hinged clip in
such manner as to firmly hold such first end of such cord; and,
further, comprising the steps of: flame-heating such second end of
such cord to soften such second end; and while such second end is
softened, applying external pressure to such second end in such
manner as to heat-seal together such woven strands of nylon at such
second end. And it also provides such a keyholder system further
comprising the steps of: providing a cord capture, having a first
position and a second position, structured and arranged for
releasably capturing such cord, wherein such first position of such
cord capture permits movement of such cord through such cord
capture, and such second position of such cord capture prevents
movement of such cord through such cord capture; and wherein such
cord capture includes a compressible spring wherein such spring is
compressed when such cord capture is in such first position, and
such spring is uncompressed when such cord capture is in such second
position; and compressing such spring and, while such spring is
compressed, moving such second end of such cord through such cord
capture to form a keyholder loop for passing through and holding at
least one key; and, further, comprising the steps of maintaining
such keyholder loop by compressing such spring and, while such
spring is compressed, moving such second end of such cord back
through such cord capture sufficiently to maintain a desired size of
such keyholder loop; and uncompressing such spring whereby such
desired size of keyholder loop is maintained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a keyholder system according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention in use holding keys.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the illustrated preferred keyholder
while attaching a key.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the illustrated keyholder,
disassembled.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the cord lock.
FIG. 5 (FIGS. 5A through 5G) is a series of seven perspective views
detailing a preferred method of manufacturing the keyholder system
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE BEST MODE OF
PRACTICE
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the keyholder system of
the present invention, embodied by a keyholder 10, shown containing
an assortment of keys 11. The keys 11 represent those which a person
would typically carry on such person for house, automobile, office,
etc. The keys 11 are securely held by cord means, having a first end
(16) and a second end (15), for passing through at least one such
key 11, such cord means being embodied by a cord 12. Cord 12 is
maintained in the form of a loop 13 by cord capture means, having a
first position and a second position, for releasably capturing such
cord means near such first end and for releasing and recapturing of
such cord means near such second end of such cord means while
maintaining capture of such cord means near such first end of such
cord means, such cord capture means being embodied by releasable
cord capture 14 (herein later more particularly described).
Both the free end 15 and clip end 16 of cord 12 normally pass
through cord capture 14. And such ends preferably have an
anti-fraying structure, preferably as later discussed with reference
to FIG. 5. Permanently attached to the clip end 16 of cord 12 is
obstruction means for preventing such first (clip) end of such cord
means from movement through such cord capture means, such
obstruction means being embodied by end clip 17. Thus end clip 17
serves to prevent the clip end 16 of cord 12 from being pulled
through cord capture 14 when the cord capture 14 is released.
Additionally the end clip 17 serves to provide a mounting for
advertising means on such obstruction means for providing viewable
indicia, such advertising means being embodied by message disk 20.
The message 21 of message disk 20 may be in the form of a product or
service advertisement or any other written message or design. A
primary feature of keyholder 10 is its ability to allow quick, easy
release of the free end 15 of cord 12, which in turn opens the loop
13 for removal or installation of keys 11 as shown in plan view in
FIG. 2. Additionally, the loop 13 is infinitely adjustable in size,
providing for any desired quantity of keys 11, from one to many. The
loop 13 of cord 12, may also be easily looped around other objects,
such as a purse handle or belt, so that the keyholder 10, with its
keys 11, may be carried in a manner preventing loss or theft.
As will be seen, the cord capture means of this invention has two
positions wherein: such first position of such cord capture means
permits movement of such cord means through such cord capture means;
and such second position of such cord capture means prevents
movement of such cord means through such cord capture means. The
opening of the cord 12 loop 13 is accomplished by compressing
compressible spring means, embodied by spring loaded button 22
(using spring 31) of cord capture 14, and pulling the free end 15 of
cord 12 out of the hole 23 of the cord capture 14. This is further
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Hole 23 is sized to accept two
sections of cord 12, so that both the free end 15 and clip end 16 of
cord 12 may be secured by the cord capture 14 in its normal gripping
state, and in turn, the grip on both the free end 15 and clip end 16
is released when button 22 is depressed. The clip end 16 of cord 12
may not be pulled through and out of the hole 23 of cord capture 14
because of the restraint of the end clip 17. It is seen that any
amount of loop 13 may be adjustably positioned through the hole 23
of cord capture 14 to result in a varying length of cord keyholder
portion.
The cord 12 of keyholder 10 is preferably made of
about-one-eighth-inch-diameter woven nylon cord, and preferably of
moderately flexible, 500 lb. test, climbers' accessory cord with a
preferred length of about seven inches. This specific type of cord
is available in a variety of colors and color patterns which may be
used to advantage in providing a keyholder 10 which is easily seen,
or may be distinguished from a keyholder 10 of different color or
color pattern. This may be useful in identifying different sets of
keys on different keyholders 10.
To prevent the free end 15 of cord 12 from fraying and unraveling
with use, it is prepared by melting and reforming. The end clip 17
embodies hinged clip means for closing about and firmly holding such
first end of such cord means and preferably is a nylon tab (of the
illustrated type) which is snapped to the clip end 16 of cord 12. It
is preferably a ZIPCORD (.TM.) brand part number 643-0000, modified
by the attachment of the message disk 20 embodying a
golf-ball-marker-type device having a flat surface and a stem
wherein such stem is attached to such hinged clip means. The message
disk 20 is a common plastic golf ball marker comprised of a flat
disk 25, preferably approximately 3/4 "in diameter, with a round pin
26 projecting from its underside, as shown. Round pin 26 of message
disk 20 is permanently inserted within hole 27 of end clip 17.
The cord capture 14 is preferably an ELLIPSE (.TM.) brand part
number 350-0000, is plastic, and is of the type illustrated in FIG.
4. Hole 23, of cord capture 14, is sized for two passes of cord 12
and extends through the body end 24 and button 22. When button 22 is
depressed, hole 23 through button 22 and corresponding hole 23
through body end 24 are aligned for easy insertion of cord 12; and
this position permits movement through cord capture 14. When button
22 is released, spring 31 pushes button 22 upward, mis-aligning
holes 23 and firmly grasping the two passes of cord 12 (free end 15
and clip end 16), thus preventing the movement of cord 12 through
cord capture 14. Unintentional release of the gripping of cord 12 by
accidental bumping of button 22 is eliminated by the strong pressure
of spring 31. When depressing button 22 to release cord 12, the body
end 24 must also be held.
FIGS. 5A through 5G illustrate in perspective views a preferred
method of manufacture of a preferred embodiment of the keyholder 10
by modification and assembly of the components of which it is
composed. Per FIG. 5A, end clip 17 is modified by the drilling of
hole 27. A twist drill 32 of appropriate size (approx. 3/32 "diam.)
is used to drill hole 27 through the main body 33 of end clip 17 for
the subsequent attachment of a message disk 20. The hole 27 is
approximately centrally located and perpendicular to the flat face
of the main body 33 of end clip 17.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the round pin 26 on the underside of disk 25 of
the message disk 20 is inserted into hole 27 of end clip 17. The
relationship between the diameters of hole 27 and round pin 26 is
such that when the disk 25 of message disk 20 is in contact with the
end clip 17, it will be held snugly in position.
Per FIG. 5C, the assembled end clip 17 and message disk 20 are shown
inverted, and the protruding exposed end of round pin 26 is melted,
as shown, preferably with a soldering iron 34, forming knobular lump
35 when cool again. This knobular lump 35 prevents the round pin 26
of the message disk 20 from being able to be pulled out of the hole
27 of the end clip 17. This completes the modification and
sub-assembly of the end clip 17 and the message disk 20.
Both ends of cord 12 are treated to prevent fraying and unraveling.
This process requires heating of the nylon of which the cord 12 is
constructed, to soften it, and then reforming to seal the woven
strands of nylon to each other. In FIG. 5D, an end of cord 12 is
heated with the flame of torch 36 until the material becomes softer
and more plastic in consistency, but not burning. While the nylon at
the end of the cord 12 is still thus hot and plastic, it is reformed
as shown in FIG. 5E. Special forming pliers 40 with two half-round
forms 41, squeeze the end of cord 12, forming it into accurate round
shape with a blunt end.
An end clip 17 is now attached to one end, the clip end 16, of cord
12. In FIG. 5F is shown the clip end 16 of cord 12 inserted into the
main body 33 of end clip 17. Locators 42 are provided in the
interior of the end clip 17 for the proper positioning of cord 12,
in addition to the positioning from the grippers 43 for retention of
the cord 12. After positioning of cord 12, the lock plate 44 portion
of the end clip 17 is hinged into the main body 33 until locked in
place in the main body 33 and crimped against the cord 12. The
completed attachment of the end clip 17, with its integral message
disk 20, attached to cord 12 is shown in FIG. 5G, completing the
clip end 16 of cord 12, with the opposite end, the free end 15,
available for installing by passing through a cord capture 14.
Thus as disclosed hereinabove the keyholder system of this invention
comprises the manufacturing steps of: providing a hinged clip,
having a main body and a closing body, structured and arranged for
closing about and firmly holding a first end of a cord; providing a
golf-ball-marker-type plastic device having a flat surface and a
cylindrical stem, such flat surface comprising advertising means
providing viewable indicia; drilling a hole through such main body
of such hinged clip, such hole having essentially the diameter of
such cylindrical stem; pushing such stem through such main body in
such manner that a tip of such stem extends from the inside of such
main body of such hinged clip; melting such tip of such stem to
harden formed as a knob attaching such device to such main body;
providing a cord comprising woven strands of nylon, having a first
end and a second end, structured and arranged for passing through at
least one key; flame-heating such first end of such cord to soften
such first end; while such first end is softened, applying external
pressure to such first end in such manner as to heat-seal together
such woven strands of nylon at such first end; placing such
heat-sealed first end of such cord into such hinged clip; closing
such hinged clip in such manner as to firmly hold such first end of
such cord; flame-heating such second end of such cord to soften such
second end; while such second end is softened, applying external
pressure to such second end in such manner as to heat-seal together
such woven strands of nylon at such second end; providing a cord
capture, having a first position and a second position, structured
and arranged for releasably capturing such cord, wherein such first
position of such cord capture permits movement of such cord through
such cord capture, and such second position of such cord capture
prevents movement of such cord through such cord capture, and
wherein such cord capture includes a compressible spring wherein
such spring is compressed when such cord capture is in such first
position, and such spring is uncompressed when such cord capture is
in such second position; and compressing such spring and, while such
spring is compressed, moving such second end of such cord through
such cord capture to form a keyholder loop for passing through and
holding at least one key; maintaining such keyholder loop by
compressing such spring and, while such spring is compressed, moving
such second end of such cord back through such cord capture
sufficiently to maintain a desired size of such keyholder loop; and
uncompressing such spring whereby such desired size of keyholder
loop is maintained.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments
of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and
sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims
as read in connection with the above specification.
Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and
the below claims.
* * * * *
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