Key ring opener and method of use

A key ring opener for spreading apart the adjacent end and intermediate portions of a split key ring that are spring-urged against each but are spreadable to allow a key to be placed on the ring, comprising:

• a rigid band having an axis and adapted to encircle such a key ring;
• and
• means within the band adapted to be wedged between said end and intermediate portions of such a key ring while the band is encircling the ring and to spread the end and intermediate portions apart upon rolling of the band about its axis between the fingers of a user thereby to allow a key to be placed on or removed from the ring.

A key ring opener for spreading apart adjacent end and intermediate portions of a split key ring of spring-steel or other suitable metal having almost two turns that terminate in a pair of end portions on opposite sides of an intermediate portion, said end portions being spring-urged s against the intermediate portion but each being spreadable away from the intermediate portion to allow a key to be slid between the end and intermediate portions and onto the ring, comprising:

• an annular band of rigid metal circumscribing an axis thereof and having body means that allows the band to be wedged between either end portion and the adjacent intermediate portion of a key ring and slid circumferentially of the ring until the band either completely encircles the ring or is separated from the ring;
• and
• a bridge of metal extending diametrically of the band and dividing it into two semi-circular halves so that when the band is on a key ring, the ring is within one of the halves, said bridge having body means that allows the bridge to be slidingly wedged between one of the end portions and the intermediate portion of a key ring whereupon rotational movement of the band about its axis causes the bridge to spread said one end portion and the intermediate portion apart to enable a key to be placed on or removed from the ring.

A key holding apparatus, comprising:

• a split key ring having portions that are spring-urged against each but are spreadable to allow a key to be placed on the ring;
• and
• a key ring opener including a rigid band having an axis and encircling the key ring and means within the band adapted to be wedged between said spreadable portions of the key ring while the band is encircling the ring and to spread the potions apart upon rolling of the band about its axis between the fingers of a user thereby to allow a key to be placed on or removed from the ring.

A key holding apparatus comprising:

• a split key ring of spring-steel or other suitable metal having almost two turns that terminate in a pair of end portions on opposite sides of an intermediate portion, said end portions being is spring-urged against the intermediate portion but each being spreadable away from the intermediate portion to allow a key to be slid between the end and intermediate portions and onto the ring;
• and
• a key ring opener having an annular band of rigid metal circumscribing an axis thereof in encircling relation to the key ring, the band having body means that allows the band to be wedged between either end portion and the adjacent intermediate portion of a key ring and slid circumferentially of the ring until the band either completely encircles the ring or is separated from the ring, and a bridge of metal extending diametrically .of the band and dividing it into two semicircular halves so that when the band is on a key ring, the ring is within one of the halves, said bridge having body means that allows the bridge to be slidingly wedged between one of the end portions and the intermediate portion of the key ring whereupon rolling movement of the band between the user's thumb and forefinger causes the bridge to spread said one end portion and the intermediate portion apart to enable a key to be placed on or removed from the ring.

A method of spreading apart the segments of a split ring key holder, said segments being separable but being resiliently spring urged together, comprising the steps of inserting a leveraging member between the separable segments of a split ring key holder, and applying manual force to the leveraging member by rolling a surface of the leveraging member between the fingers of a user thereby to cause the member to spread the separable segments of the key holder apart.