Patent ID: 7628503
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: E05B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An illuminated key casing assembly for receiving a key therein, which may be selectively illuminated for improving visibility during use of the key, comprising: a light transmissive casing made of a translucent material, the light transmissive casing having a generally circular shape with a top side, a bottom side, a key ring hole extending through the light transmissive casing from the top side to the bottom side, and a slot disposed between the top side and the bottom side that extends to the key ring hole, the slot being configured to receive a grip-end portion of a key within an open end of the slot, wherein the key ring hole is positioned in the light transmissive casing opposite the open end of the slot so as to align with an opening in the grip-end portion of a key that is received within the slot, the light transmissive casing further comprising an interior portion that includes: a single battery disposed in the first cavity, the single battery having a first battery terminal on at least a side portion of the single battery and a second battery terminal on a top portion of the single battery; a light emitting device disposed within the second cavity in the light transmissive casing such that the light emitting device is completely enclosed within the interior portion of the light transmissive casing, and a light emitting end of the light emitting device is positioned adjacent the first protrusion, such that a portion of light emitted by the light emitting device is transmitted into the first protrusion and dispersed throughout the light transmissive casing, the light emitting device further including a first electrical leadwire and a second electrical leadwire, wherein the first electrical leadwire is force-fit between an annular sidewall of the first cavity and the single battery disposed within the first cavity so as to wedge the single battery within the first cavity, to secure and prevent movement of the single battery within the first cavity and to further establish electrical contact with the first battery terminal, and wherein the second electrical leadwire is received within the arcuate-shaped wire slot in the second protrusion, and a free end of the second electrical leadwire extends in a cantilevered manner beyond the second protrusion to a first position in which the end of the second electrical leadwire is positioned over the top of the single battery so as to be spaced apart from the second battery terminal; a cover disposed on the recessed surface and covering the first cavity and the second cavity such that the light emitting device is completely enclosed within the interior portion of the light transmissive casing, the cover abutting the second protrusion on the light transmissive casing so as to entrap the second electrical leadwire between the cover and the light transmissive casing and rigidly secure the second electrical leadwire within the arcuate-shaped wire slot in the second protrusion, the cover further including a U-shaped slot having first and second ends, and a fastener hole that is positioned at an approximately equal distance from both the first and second ends of the U-shaped slot so as to define an area of weakness about which a deflecting portion within the U-shaped slot is configured to be selectively depressed and deflected inwardly to push the free end of the second electrical leadwire into electrical contact with the second battery terminal, so as to momentarily establish electrical connection between the second battery terminal and the second electrical leadwire of the light emitting device, to thereby turn on the light emitting device and illuminate the light transmissive casing, wherein the fastener hole in the cover is aligned with the mounting hole in the second protrusion of the light transmissive casing when the cover is disposed on the recessed surface and covering the first cavity and the second cavity; and a fastener that is configured to be received within the mounting hole for securing the cover relative to the light transmissive casing.