# US 5,346,066 A · Key safe > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,346,066 A - Document ID: US5346066A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/739,415 - Filed: 1991-08-02 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1991-08-02 - Inventors: Ray A. Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346066A ## CPC - A45C 11/32: Bags or wallets for holding keys {(key-holding inserts A45C13/023)} - Y10T 70/8676: Key holders - A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A key safe for hiding a key out-of-doors. The key safe is an article having a facade that resembles a nest of an insect. Preferably the nest resembles the nest of a stinging insect and more preferably the nest of a mud dauber wasp. This device is composed of a hinge and a facade defining an interior for storing a key. The key safe may be secured to a branch of a tree, a shrub, a building, fence, deck, dock, recreation vehicle etc., generally in places where an insect is likely to build such a nest. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for hiding small objects comprising: an olefin polymer facade resembling the nest of a stinging insect, the facade forming at least a portion of a hollow interior for receiving the small object; means for retaining the small object within the hollow interior; and means integral to the facade for fastening the device to an exterior surface above the ground. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the facade resembles a nest of a mud dauber wasp. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the facade resembles the nest of a paper wasp. ### Claim 4 A device for hiding small objects comprising: a facade resembling the nest of a stinging insect, the facade forming at least a portion of a hollow interior for receiving the small object; means integral to the facade for fastening the device to an exterior structure above the ground; and a hook fastened to said means integral to the facade, for retaining the small object within the hollow interior. ### Claim 5 A device for hiding small objects comprising: an exterior facade resembling the nest of a stinging insect and forming at least a portion of a hollow interior; a flat hinge having a first and second leaf, the first leaf being integrally connected to the reverse side of the exterior facade, the second leaf being used to mount the device to a support structure; and means for hanging a small object within the hollow interior of the device, the small object being hidden by the facade. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5 wherein the first and second leaves possess locking and unlocking mating closure members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6 wherein the facade resembles the nest of a mud dauber, and the facade is composed of a plurality of tubes wherein at least one of the tubes is easily removable to distinguish the facade from other mass manufactured goods. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7 wherein said means for hanging a small object is a hook. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6 wherein the facade resembles a mud dauber's nest having a plurality of tubular sections. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9 including score lines located between at least two tubular sections for the removal of at least one of the tubular sections. ### Claim 11 A device for hiding small objects comprising: an exterior facade resembling the nest of mud dauber wasp and forming at least a portion of a hollow interior; a hinge having first and second leaves, the first leaf being integrally connected to the reverse side of the facade, and defining an opening for access to the hollow interior, said second leaf having means for mounting the device to a support structure; a hook fastened to the face of the second leaf for retaining a key; said key being retained in the interior of the facade when the two leaves of the hinge are in a closed position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11 wherein the first and second leaves have means for maintaining the facade in a locked position when the leaves of the hinge are in a closed position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11 including score lines located between at least two tubular sections for the removal of at least one of the tubular sections. ### Claim 14 A device for hiding small objects, comprising: a facade resembling the nest of a stinging insect, the facade forming at least a portion of a hollow interior for receiving the small object, said facade having a reverse side; a hinge positioned on an edge of the facade; a securing portion having a front face and connected to the hinge, said facade and securing portion functioning as the leaves of the hinge; and structural means positioned on the reverse side of the facade and the front face of the securing portion creating a storage area for the small object when the hinge is in a closed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14 wherein the facade resembles the nest of a mud dauber. ### Claim 16 A man-made device for hiding small objects comprising: a facade resembling the nest of a stinging insect, the facade forming at least a portion of a hollow interior for receiving the small object; means for retaining the small object within the hollow interior; and means integral to the facade for fastening the device to an exterior surface above the ground. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the olefin polisher is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16 wherein said facade is made of an olefin polymer. ### Claim 19 A device for hiding small objects comprising: a polymerized plastic facade resembling the nest of a stinging insect, the facade foxing at least a portion of a hollow interior for receiving the small object; means for retaining the small object within the hollow interior; and means integral to the facade for fastening the device to an exterior surface above the ground. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The device of claim 19 wherein the polymerizable plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures thereof.