Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-26
2001-05-22
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
C070S395000, C070S45600R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233987
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a key holder which is attached to a bow part of a key.
2. Description of the Related Art
With relation to a key holder, various proposals for protecting a human body from static electricity caused by touching a door with hands when the door is locked or is unlocked, by making a main body of a key holder out of insulating material, such as plastic, synthetic resin or the like, and for facilitating the use of a key are offered.
In a structure of such a key holder, for attaching a key thereto, for example, a cover which composes a main body of the key holder is fixed to a bow part of a key by using a screw.
However, according to a method in which the cover is fixed to a bow part of a key by using a screw, a shape of the bow part of the key to be attached to the cover is restricted. Because the key is unsteadily attached to the cover, a load is not certainly transmitted to the key when a door is locked or is unlocked. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to use the key.
Although a key holder to which keys having various shapes can be attached is proposed, a thickness of a bow part of the key to be attached to the cover or a length thereof is restricted. When the key is attached to the main body of the key holder, it is necessary to disassemble the main body and assemble it. When the thickness of the key is suitable for the cover, the key is stable in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of a bow part thereof. However, there is a problem that the key cannot be prevented from being unstable in a parallel direction thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a key holder to which a key is easily attached and in which a key is stable.
That is, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a key holder comprises: a main body having a first opening for receiving a bow part of a key; a sandwiching member for elastically sandwiching the received bow part on both surfaces thereof, and for releasing the sandwich of the bow part by extracting the key forcedly; and a contacting part for contacting a head of the bow part therewith.
A rubber may be used as a sandwiching member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A sandwiching plate may be used instead of a rubber. The both surfaces of the bow part may be sandwiched by biasing the sandwiching plate with a spring.
According to the present invention, because the head of the bow part is in contact with the contacting part and the bow part is elastically sandwiched by the sandwiching member in this state, the key is easily attached to the main body without disassembling the main body or assembling it. The key holder can cause the key to be stable without depending on various types of key.
The key holder may further comprise a connector having a hook part for hooking the bow part; wherein the hook part are receivable to the first opening with the bow part, and a holding member for elastically holding the connector so as to maintain a state of inserting the hook part into the main body and for releasing the hold of the hook part by extracting the key forcedly is provided between the main body and the connector.
According to the present invention, because the bow part is elastically sandwiched by the sandwiching member and the connector is elastically held by the holding member so as to maintain a state of inserting the hook part into the main body, the key can be previously prevented from coming off.
An engaging part which projects from a second opening of the main body when the hook part is inserted into the main body may be provided in the connector.
According to the present invention, because the accessory, such as a strap or the like, can be attached to the engaging part, the key holder can be decorated more.
The connector may be removal from the main body. The connector may be irremovably attached to the main body.
The first opening may be formed in a cross shape.
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Onoo Katsuhiko
Ueno Miho
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Staas & Halsey , LLP
Tomy Company LTD
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