Key storage device
OwnerScott Caudleinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Conventional keys can be stored in a flat panel for carrying in a person's pants pocket or purse. Each key is stored in a flat slot extending from one edge of the panel. A push-button on the panel can be moved along the panel surface to push the key out of the panel or to pull the key into the panel. The push-button is attached to the key by a flexible connector that has a lost motion connection to the push-button. The lost motion connection allows the key to be spaced from the panel so as to be manipulatable without interference from the panel.
Claims3
A key storage case for storing a plurality of keys so that a selected key can be removed from an enclosed position, comprising:
- a flat storage device including a pair of similarly constructed panels having adjacent sides joined by hinge means so as to be relatively moveable between a closed parallel position, and an open position,
- a first fibrous adhesive patch on a first of said panels, and a second fibrous adhesive patch on the second of said panels, the first patch being releasably engageable with the second patch for releasably holding the pair of panels in said closed position;
- each of said panels having a plurality of parallel key storage slots (18), each of the key storage slots having a length greater than the length of keys to be stored therein, a top wall and a bottom wall;
- a push button slideably mounted on each of said key storage slots between a retracted position and an extended position, each of said push buttons comprising an enlarged external section (24) located on an external surface of its respective panel and an internal neck section (26) extending through a narrow slot (28) in the top wall of a key storage slot (18), the neck section having an opening (30) aligned with said narrow slot;
- the bottom wall of each of said key storage slots, having an elongated trough (32) aligned with the corresponding key storage slot and disposed adjacent said opening (30) in the neck section;
- an elongated flexible connector received in the opening (30) and extending therethrough, and having a lower run disposed in said trough (32);
- each of said push buttons being manually slidable along its respective key storage slot (18) from a first position adjacent the hinged side of the panels;
- each of said key storage slots having a key-receiving opening opposite the hinged side thereof;
- each of said push buttons being moveable toward the opposite end of its key storage slot in which a key connected thereto is fully withdrawn from the storage slot in a motion in which the neck pushes the key from the stored position in the case;
- and
- said flexible connector having a lost motion connection with the push button whereby the key is separated from the panel when the key is withdrawn out of the key storage slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.