Spare car key and plate holder

#The present invention relates to a spare car key. Cars are usually supplied by the maker with two sets of keys, each comprising a main key, for routine key-control led functions, such as opening the doors or tail gate, releasing the steering lock, or starting the engine, and a spare key for use by garage or repair shop personnel and designed, for security reasons, for preventing the performance of specific functions, such as opening the tail gate. Said keys comprise a metal core having a flat grip portion engraved with the key identification number, and on which a plastic grip is subsequently molded. As, for security reasons, the identification number is only legible by breaking off the plastic grip, a number plate is usually supplied with the keys, for obtaining a duplicate from the maker in the event of the key being lost.

#A major drawback of keys of the aforementioned type is that they are so bulky that users generally tend to carry only one set of keys (or even only the main key), which limits to some extent the usefulness of a spare set. A further disadvantage is the relatively high cost of providing four keys and the relative number plate.

#The aim of the present invention is to provide a spare car key designed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks typically associated with known types of keys. With this aim in view, according to the present invention, there is provided a spare car key comprising a metal core defined by a substantially flat active and grip portion integral with each other; characterized by the fact that it comprises a plate having a center portion housing said metal core in at least partially removable manner, and having means for securing said metal core inside said center portion.

#A preferred non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a spare key in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 shows a section along line II-II in FIG. 1.

#Number 1 in the accompanying drawings indicates a spare car key comprising a standard metal core 2 consisting of a flat grip portion 3 and an elongated active portion 4 designed in known manner for performing all the key-controlled functions on the car (unlocking, ignition, steering lock release) and having a pointed lead-in end 5. Said grip portion 3 presents a pair of through holes 6 and, on each face, a respective pair of converging grooves 7 extending radially from respective holes 6 towards edge 8 of portion 3, opposite said active portion 4. Said grip portion 3 is engraved with a number 14 identifying key 1. According to the present invention, key 1 comprises a substantially rectangular plate 9 conveniently molded from plastic material, having rounded edges and corners, and of substantially the same thickness as metal core 2. Said plate 9 also presents a center through portion 10 designed to receive metal core 2.

#Plate 9 and metal core 2 are connected together during molding of plate 9. For this purpose, the liquid plastic material is fed from the mold cavity defining plate 9 along grooves 7 and into holes 6. Upon setting, said plastic material defines a thin flexible appendix 11 extending from plate 9 into center portion 10, and having a portion 12 anchoring grip portion 3 of metal core 2. Center portion 10 also defines a seat 13 housing lead-in end 5, in slightly tight-fitting manner, so as to lock metal core 2 inside portion 10.

#Key 1 operates as follows.