INTEGRAL LATCH KEY RING

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/560,358, filed on Mar. 1, 2024, and titled INTEGRAL LATCH KEY RING, (Attorney Docket No. HANDP004.P1) the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to rings for holding keys for ordinary locks, such as for doors or vehicles or any other security lock. Particularly, this invention relates to system and methods for managing the organization and utility of such keys.

2. Description of the Related Art

Physical security, along with digital security, are essential considerations of modern life. People must take reasonable measures to secure their homes, their workplaces, their vehicles, and any other valuables as much as their digital information. Accordingly, a lock is typically employed to secure any significant property which could be otherwise accessed by someone without permission. Thus, a typical individual will possess a number of keys they must manage that are associated with the various locks they use.

One very well known prior art ring for keys is a ring effectively made as a spring coiled onto itself. One end of the spring is pulled away from the coil in order for the hole in a key bow to be threaded onto the spring and pushed around the coil until it clears the other end. The key is now completely captured on the ring and free to move around it. Additional keys can be added. Other rings for keys may employ various types of spring loaded latches. One type of spring loaded key ring latch operates similar to a carabiner latch. Another well known type of spring loaded key ring latch employs an over center latch hooked onto a notch across an open gap in the ring.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for improved devices and methods for managing and organizing the storage of keys. There is a need for such devices to be simple and compact as well as secure. There is also a need for such devices and methods that operate reliably and efficiently over many uses and at a reduced cost. These and other needs are met by the present invention as detailed hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A key ring comprising a ring portion having a first end and a second end where the first end includes a first channel and a catch and the second end includes a second channel and a latch disposed within the second channel of the second end. The latch is moveable between an open position such that the latch is withdrawn into the second channel exposing a gap between the first end and the second end of the ring portion and a closed position such that the latch is moved outward from the second channel to close the gap and engage the first channel and the catch of the first end of the ring portion. The ring portion and the latch can be wire electro discharge machining (EDM) cut from a metal, such as titanium.

A typical embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus having a ring portion having a first end including a first channel and a catch and a second end including a second channel and a gap between the first end and the second end and a latch disposed within the second channel of the second end for opening and closing the gap. The latch is moveable between an open position such that the latch is withdrawn into the second channel opening the gap between the first end and the second end of the ring portion and a closed position such that the latch is moved outward from the second channel to close the gap and engage the first channel and the catch of the first end of the ring portion. In some embodiments, the ring portion can be bounded within a circular envelope and the latch includes a contact area which extends outside the circular envelope. In some embodiments, the latch can further comprise an open stop latch and the ring portion further comprises an open stop and the open stop latch engages the open stop in the open position.

In further embodiments, the latch can comprise a cantilever spring for engaging the catch of the first end of the ring portion when the latch is in the closed position. The cantilever spring can comprise a latch end turned back on itself.

In still further embodiments, the latch further can comprise a closed stop latch and the ring portion further comprises a closed stop and the closed stop latch engages the closed stop in the closed position. The closed stop latch can comprise a second cantilever spring. Further, the second cantilever spring of the closed stop latch can comprise a slotted back end of the latch.

In other embodiments, the ring portion can further comprise an opening in an outer circumference of the ring portion to the second channel for receiving the latch during assembly. In some embodiments at least the ring portion can comprise titanium, the latch and the ring portion can comprise castings, and/or the ring portion and the latch can be cut using wire electro discharge machining (EDM).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the closed position;

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the closed position;

FIG. 1C illustrates a lower isometric view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the closed position;

FIG. 1D illustrates a side view and relative top, front, bottom and back views of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the closed position;

FIG. 1E illustrates a cutaway view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the closed position;

FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the open position;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the open position;

FIG. 2C illustrates a lower isometric view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the open position; and

FIG. 2D illustrates a cutaway view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

1. Overview

As previously mentioned, embodiments of the invention comprise a key ring having a ring portion having a first end and a second end where the first end includes a first channel and a catch and the second end includes a second channel and a latch disposed within the second channel of the second end. The latch is moveable between an open position such that the latch is withdrawn into the second channel exposing a gap between the first end and the second end of the ring portion and a closed position such that the latch is moved outward from the second channel to close the gap and engage the first channel and the catch of the first end of the ring portion. The ring portion and the latch can be wire electro discharge machining (EDM) cut from a metal, such as titanium.

In one example, the catch can be a hook affixed to the second end extending from the second end and turning back toward and parallel with the second end and having a tip extending into an enclosed area of the hook. The catch and the rigid loop can be oriented either in or transverse to the plane of the ring portion.

2. Exemplary Integral Latch Key Ring

FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary key ring 100 embodiment having an integral latch 104 in the closed position. FIG. 1B illustrates a side view and FIG. 1C illustrates a lower isometric view of the exemplary key ring 100 embodiment having the integral latch in the closed position. In use, the latch 104 is moveable between a closed position and an open position. The latch 104 is disposed within a ring portion 102 and can be readily opened and closed by a simple movement. In a typical embodiment of the device the ring portion 102 comprises a circular shape, i.e. generally fits within a circular envelope, but with a gap 108 between the first end 124 and the second end 126. The ring portion 102 has a first end 124 which includes a first channel 122 and a catch 120 and a second end 126 which includes a second channel 112. The latch 104 is disposed within the second channel 112 of the second end 126 for opening and closing the gap 108. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E the latch 104 in the closed position spans the gap 108 between the first end 124 and the second end 126 of the ring portion 102.

FIG. 1D illustrates a central side view and relative top, front, bottom and back views of the exemplary key ring 100 embodiment having the integral latch 104 in the closed position. Here also, the gap 108 between the ends 124, 126 of the ring portion 102 is spanned and closed by the latch 104. In the closed position, the key ring 100 can be used to secure items (e.g. keys) together which have a loop that can be passed through the gap 108 onto the ring portion 102 prior to moving the latch 104 into the closed position.

FIG. 1E illustrates a cutaway view of an exemplary key ring 100 embodiment having an integral latch 104 in the closed position. This view shows the functional relationship between the integral latch 104 and the ring portion 102 in the closed position. The latch 104 is engaged into the first channel 122 of the first end 124 of the ring portion 102. The first end 124 of the ring portion 102 also includes a catch 120 within the end of the first channel 122. The latch 104 can also employ a cantilever spring 106 for engaging the catch 120 of the first end 124 of the ring portion 102 when the latch 104 is in the closed position. The cantilever spring 106 exhibits a small force radially from the center of the ring portion to engage the catch 120. This feature prevents the latch 104 from accidentally slipping out of the closed position and opening the gap 108. To release the latch 104, a small amount of pressure is applied by the user against the cantilever spring 106 to disengage the spring 106 from the catch 120 while moving the latch 104 by force applied to the contact area 110 away from the gap 108. Although any suitable spring device can be employed as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the cantilever spring 106 can be formed by the latch end turned back on itself as shown.

A close stop latch 118 at the end of the latch 104 can also be employed to engage the close stop 114 of the ring portion 102 when the latch 104 is in the closed position. The close stop latch 118 can comprise a second cantilever spring. The cantilever spring of close stop latch 118 exhibits a small force radially from the center of the ring portion to engage the close stop 114. Moreover, this second cantilever spring of the close stop latch 118 can comprise a slotted back end of the latch 104. As shown, the slot 132 of the latch 104 creates the long cantilever of the close stop latch 118 which is opposed by an inner radial surface 134 of the second channel 112 of the ring portion 102. In the closed position, the spring 106 engages the catch 120 and prevents movement of the latch 104 towards the open position. In addition, at the opposite end of the latch 104 the close stop latch 118 engages the close stop 114 of the ring portion 102 and prevents further movement of the latch 104 toward the closed position. Accordingly, the latch 104 is trapped from movement in either direction when secured in the closed position.

FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary key ring 100 embodiment having an integral latch 104 in the open position. FIG. 2B illustrates a side view and FIG. 2C illustrates a lower isometric view of the exemplary key ring 100 embodiment having an integral latch 104 in the open position.

FIG. 2D illustrates a cutaway view of an exemplary key ring embodiment having an integral latch in the open position. To move from the closed to the open position the latch 104 is withdrawn into the second channel 112 which opens the gap 108 between the first end 124 and the second end 126 of the ring portion 102. To move back to the closed position the latch 104 is moved outward from the second channel 112 to close the gap 108 and engage the first channel 122 and the catch 120 of the first end 124 of the ring portion 102. In the closed position, the latch 104 is disposed within both the first channel 122 of the first end 124 and the second channel 112 of the second end 126.

In a typical embodiment of the invention, the ring portion is bounded within a circular envelope and the latch 104 includes a contact area 110 which extends outside an outer radius of the circular envelope. The contact area can be a grooved surface or any other suitable pattern on a surface which can be pushed against by the finger of a user to facilitate movement of the latch 104 between the open and closed positions.

In some embodiments of the invention, distal from the second end 126 of the ring portion 102 an open stop 128 can be formed in the ring portion 102 as an edge of the ring portion 102. In this case, the latch 104 further comprises an open stop latch 130 for engaging the open stop 128 when the latch 104 is in the open position. The open stop latch 130 can be formed at the back edge of the contact area 110. This is similar to the opposing close stop 114 which is also formed in the ring portion 102 as an opposing edge of the ring portion 102 behind the open stop 128 more distal from the second end 126 of the ring portion 102.

To make assembly of the key ring 100 convenient, the ring portion can include an opening 116 to the second channel 112 in an outer circumference of the ring portion 102 distal from the gap for receiving the latch 104 during assembly. The front end of the integral latch 104 is inserted into this opening 116 and pushed through the second channel 112 until it reaches the gap 108. The pressure from the cantilever spring of the close stop latch 118 provides friction between the inner radial surface 134 of the second channel 112 and the back radial surface of the close stop 114 and the open stop 128. This friction retains the latch 104 within the ring portion even in the open position when the first cantilever spring 106 is not engaged with the catch 120.

The various embodiments of the invention described can be produced from any suitable resilient, durable materials. The key ring can be produced from metals, plastics or polymers. The material should be hard but also with sufficient spring to support engaging and disengaging of the catch and loop. Some example suitable metals include titanium or beryllium copper. However, casting, powder injection molding is also possible with titanium, stainless steel or other suitable metals or plastics. Composite materials can also be employed. For example, a steel or titanium core wrapped with a polycarbonate, e.g. a polycarbonate (or polymer) injected over a metal core. This type of construction will enable colorful designs in the polycarbonate or polymer.

This concludes the description including the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description including the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the foregoing teachings. Additional variations of the present invention can be devised without departing from the inventive concept as set forth in the following claims.