Patent ID: 7350385
Filing Date: 2008-04-01
Classification: A44B,A45C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A separable holder for keys and similar articles, said holder comprising: first and second identically-shaped body members that are formed of a substantially rigid, resiliently flexible material and are mounted in reversed, face-to-face relationship; bearing faces formed on said body members that meet to permit longitudinal sliding movement between said body members, said bearing faces comprising generally flat, planar bearing surfaces; first locking portions formed at first ends of each of said bearing faces; second locking portions formed at second ends of said bearing faces that receive said first locking portions in detachably locked engagement therewith; said second locking portions comprising openings formed proximate said second ends of said bearing faces for passage of said first locking portions therethrough, said openings comprising upper edges that span said openings; said first locking portions comprising tongue portions that project from said first ends of said bearing faces so as to pass through said openings of said second locking portions, said tongue portions of said first locking portions comprising tapered upper surfaces that react against said upper edges of said openings so as to resiliently flex said tongue portions to depressed positions when passing through said openings; notch portions formed on said openings and on said tongue portions that form a releasable interlocking engagement between said body members, said interlocking notch portions comprising wall portions formed on said openings and on said tongue portions, said wall portions extending generally perpendicular to said planar bearing surfaces and meeting in face-to-face abutment so as to form said interlocking engagement, said wall portions on said tongue portions being formed at rearward ends of said tapered upper surfaces, so that said tongue portions are released from said depressed positions so as to position said wall portions on said tongue portions and said openings in face-to-face abutment when said tongue portions have passed through said openings; said body members further comprising thin, web-shaped base portions that join said tongue portions to said bearing faces so as to enable said tongue portions to flex resiliently in a direction generally normal thereto; and attachment portions formed on said body members for attachment of keys and similar articles thereto.