Abstract:
The present invention broadly comprises a combination locket and key holder, comprising a body with a door pivotally attached to the body by a hinge. The clasp comprises a first clasp member located on the door that is operatively arranged to magnetically interact with a second clasp member located on the body. Alternatively the clasp members can be made of two permanent magnets or one ferromagnetic element and one permanent magnet. A lens is disposed within the body and it is arranged to hold and display an object. Rotationally attached to the pendant body is a swivel that has a key holder slidingly attached.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to a key chain, and more particularly to a key holder with a pendant/locket having a compartment to store photos or other artwork. The photos can be viewed through a transparent lens located on one side of the pendant, and the contents of the photo compartment can be changed as a result of the positioning of the compartment under the hinged door on the side of the pendant opposite the transparent lens.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The use of key chains is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,086,268 (Chaffin, Jr.) discloses a magnetic connector comprising a magnetic part, a rigid metallic frame that receives the magnetic part, and a key ring upon which keys may be attached. The frame and the magnetic parts are joined by the magnetic force emitted from the permanent magnet in the magnetic part. The patent teaches only that a magnetic connector can be used to join two complimentary halves. There is no teaching in this patent regarding the combination of a key ring with a compartment to display images, or a one piece key ring with a hinged door mechanism that is closed using a permanent magnet.  
         [0003]     United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2093340 (Panunzio) discloses a key holder with two separate members detachably connected. One of the members has a recessed seat that can house a label, but the drawback of this design is that the label can be replaced only by separating the two halves. After a user separates the two halves, she must then align the raised ridges of the one halve with the grooves of the second halve, which is not an easy task when the key rings are laden with keys, or when the user wants to swiftly change the contents of the recessed seat.  
         [0004]     Other patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,153 (Gelardi et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,141 (Kang), and U.S. Pat. No. 2,357,641 (Evalt) teach the combination of a key chain with an image display compartment, but all involve awkward or intricate latch systems to secure the image in the compartment. Another drawback of the key holders of the past is that the fob, which houses the image compartment, is either too bulky, cumbersome, or impracticably shaped.  
         [0005]     What is needed, then, is a combination locket and key holder that combines a mechanism to retain keys, with an image display compartment, which is easier to operate due to an access element that permits the swift and simple loading of images in the display compartment, all in an ergonomic fob.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention broadly comprises a combination locket and key holder, comprising a body with a door pivotally attached to the body by a hinge. The clasp comprises a first clasp member located on the door that is operatively arranged to magnetically interact with a second clasp member located on the body. Alternatively the clasp members can be made of two permanent magnets or one ferromagnetic element and one permanent magnet. A lens is disposed within the body and it is arranged to hold and display an object. Rotationally attached to the pendant body is a swivel that has a key holder slidingly attached.  
         [0007]     It should be understood that a general object of the present invention is to provide a combination locket and key holder with a body having a door pivotally attached that covers a compartment in the body for holding objects.  
         [0008]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination locket and key holder with a lens disposed within the body of the locket.  
         [0009]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination locket and key holder with a recess that is accessible by a hinged door which provides quick and convenient access to the objects, such as artwork or photos, positioned in the recess.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination locket and key holder with a clasp on a hinged door of the locket that has two clasp members that magnetically interact.  
         [0011]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination locket and key holder with a swivel rotationally attached to the locket where the swivel has a key holder slidingly attached thereto.  
         [0012]     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in view of the several drawings of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the present invention exhibiting the side having a lens;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the present invention exhibiting the side having a door;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention with the door closed;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the present invention with the door opened; and,  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the present invention similar to  FIG. 3  with the door opened. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of key chain  10  shown to broadly comprise body  12  and lens  14  housed on the exterior of body  12 . Body  12  may be made of a material known to those of skill in the art and especially suitable for use with a key chain. This includes, but is not limited to: metals, coated metals, painted metals, ceramics, plastics, wood, or similar materials. Although in a preferred embodiment body  12  is made of metal to add weight to the key chain, other substances such as plastic or wood are also considered suitable substitutes. Body  12  can be designed of lightweight materials but it has been determined that a heavier body  12  contributes to the ease and usability of key chain  10 . Body  12  is shown as a tapered generally trapezoidal shaped pendant with sloping edges that allows key chain  12  to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. This design allows a user to easily retain the locket in her hand. Having one end of the profile of body  12  wider than the opposite end of the profile creates a shape that is ergonomic.  
         [0022]     At least one lens  14  is positioned on the center of body  12 . Through lens  14 , work of art  22  is visible. The work of art  22  may be a photograph or other keepsake. It is preferable that lens  14  be of sufficient size to create what is effectively a frame to present the art or images that are placed behind lens  14 . In the embodiments shown, transparent lens  14  encompasses a majority of the one side of body  12 . It is preferable that lens  14  occupy at least approximately 75% of one side of body  12 . It should be realized that although it is preferred that lens  14  replace the majority of what would be part of body  12 , lens  14  can just as well be smaller in surface area, or envelope the entire surface of body  12 . Lens  14  would then not just allow a user to view the contents in compartment  32  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), but would also allow the viewing of part, or the entire interior of body  12 . Accordingly, the size of lens  14  can vary greatly without straying from the intended invention.  
         [0023]     Lens size will likely need to be adjusted based on the size of body  12 , which is equally variable. Lens  14  is not limited to just one lens. Alternatively, multiple transparent or translucent lenses can be positioned on body  12 . This would allow a user to display multiple images at once in key chain  10 , which would be preferable to one wishing to not favor one image over another. Additionally, lens  14  is preferably transparent or translucent, however, lens  14  can also be colored or have patterns molded or imprinted thereon. Preferably, lens  14  is constructed of clear plastic molded to the desired shape. Alternatively, other polymers can be used, or the desired lens shape can be cut from sheets of glass or plastic.  
         [0024]     Swivel base  16  is fixedly attached to body  12 , preferably with a threaded screw, but swivel base  16  can be attached to body  12  with an attachment means that is functionally equivalent to a screw. Alternative attachment means can include soldering, spot welding, threading, or any means known to one of skill in the art that is considered similar. Swivel yoke  18  slides over swivel base  16 , and swivel yoke  18  is secured to swivel base  16  via swivel pin  40 . Swivel pin  40  is inserted through a small aperture that runs through the bottom portion of both arms of swivel yoke  18  and through the center of swivel base  16 . Swivel yoke  18 , connected to swivel base  16  by swivel pin  42 , form a complete swivel connection that enables swivel yoke  18  to pivot on body  12 .  
         [0025]     Swivel yoke  18  has another larger aperture located at the opposite side of the arms of swivel yoke  18 , which will be referred to as the top of swivel yoke  18 . It is preferred that key holder  24  is fed through this larger aperture on the top of swivel yoke  18 . Key holder  24 , as shown, is composed of a single length of wire that is tightly wound to form a circular wire ring with ends that are exposed. Key holder  24  is loosely looped through an aperture located on the top of swivel yoke  18  which slidingly attaches the wire ring key holder to the swivel. It is preferred that key holder  24  be capable of holding multiple keys, although other items such as trinkets, charms, other key chains, or other suitable items can be attached to key holder  24  as well. Although key holder  24  is shown to be a wire ring, other key holders, like clips, clasps, etc. can be substituted.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a front view of key chain  10  with lens  14  shown. Swivel yoke  18  is shown connected to swivel base  16  with pin  40 . Swivel base  16  and swivel yoke  18  interact to allow rotation at the axis along swivel pin  40 . Swivel elements  16 ,  18  and  40  are the individual components that form a complete swivel that enables a user to comfortably locate and use keys attached to key holder  24  that is loosely looped through the aperture located on swivel yoke  18  opposite to swivel pin  40 . Swivel elements  16 ,  18 , and  40  are preferably constructed of light weight metal such as aluminum, but it should appreciated that any metal can be substituted and still adequately perform the functions of these elements. Durable plastics can also be used to construct components  16 ,  18 , and  40 . Key holder  24  is preferably constructed of extruded metal that is then bent into a double ring with free ends that can be used to attach keys, trinkets, or other items that have an aperture large enough to be pierced by a free end of key holder  24 . Plastic versions of key holder  24  are another possible alternative. Keys or other items can be retained on key holder  24 , and then easily removed due to the flexible construction of the key holder shown.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of key ring  10  with hinge bracket  20 , hinge arm  26 , and door  30  shown. Hinge arm  26  can be fixedly attached to door  30  or be an integral element of door  30  that is formed on door  30  in the casting process. Hinge brackets  20  are fixedly attached to body  12  by spot welding or a method that would be considered similar by one having ordinary skill in the art. Hinge brackets  20  can also be formed on body  12  in the casting process, which makes them integral to body  12 . Hinge arm  26  has a small aperture that runs through the arm. The end of hinge arm  26  that has the small aperture lies between hinge brackets  20 . Hinge brackets  20  have a small aperture that is identical to the small aperture in hinge arm  26 . In the preferred embodiment the small aperture in hinge arm  26  is aligned with the small apertures of hinge brackets  20 , and hinge pin  38  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) is inserted through both the hinge bracket  20  apertures and the hinge arm  26  aperture. Hinge pin  38  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) joins hinge elements  20  and  26  to form the hinge joint between door  30  and body  12 . In the embodiments shown only a single door  30  is illustrated, however, multiple doors can be used to lend a different visual effect and functionality. If multiple doors are used it should be understood that a requisite number of hinge elements would be needed for each additional door added.  
         [0028]     Notch  28  creates a leverage point which makes prying open door  30  quick and simple. It should be understood that notch  28  can be located anywhere along the perimeter of door  30  at rim  42 . There can also be more than one notch  28  placed on body  12 , or notch  28  can extend along the entire bottom edge of body  12  at rim  42 . Bottom edge of body  12  is the seam where door  30  meets body  12  at the edge distal to hinge arm  26 . It is further preferred that notch  28  is located at rim  42 , distal to hinge arm  26 , at either corner of door  30 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a side view of key chain  10  with door  30  closed. This view demonstrates that when door  30  is closed it completely covers compartment  32  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). Hinge pin  38  links hinge arm  26  to hinge bracket  20  which allows the door to open and close freely. Pin  38  is sized to fit tightly into the apertures in hinge brackets  20  and hinge arm  26  to deter the premature loosening of hinge pin  38  and the subsequent loosening of door  30 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side view of key chain  10  with door  30  opened. Compartment  32  stores and retains objects such as images, photos or artwork that are placed therein. Compartment  32  is depicted as a shallow cavity that is planar with rim  42 . It should be understood that compartment  32  extends deeper than the edge of rim  42 . The dimensions of compartment  32  are best understood by contrasting the depiction of compartment  32  in  FIG. 5  to its depiction in  FIG. 6 . The recess that forms compartment  32  is deep enough to receive door  30  and allow door  30  to lie flush with body  12  when in the closed position. The recess that is compartment  32  has sufficient depth not only to accommodate closed door  30 , but also to receive multiple objects, such as artwork or photos, if so desired. In another preferred embodiment, compartment  32  is large enough to display an unobstructed image, and it should be deep enough to permit the image to rest in the compartment and still allow door  30  to clasp shut.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of key chain  10 , similar to  FIG. 3 , with door  30  opened. In the view shown with door  30  in the open position, door  30  blocks swivel elements  16  and  18  from view, as well as key holder  24 . With door  30  open, clasp member  36  is revealed along with counterpart clasp member  34 . Clasp member  36  aligns with clasp member  34  when door  30  is closed, and  34  and  36  are magnetically attracted together to secure door  30  closed. Clasp member  36  and clasp member  34  make up a magnetic clasp. It is preferred that clasp member  36  is composed of a permanent magnetic material. Permanent magnetic materials including magnetized metals or ceramic magnets are excellent choices for permanent magnetic component  36 . It is further preferred that clasp member  34  be formed of a ferromagnetic material, i.e., material that is attracted to a magnet. Metals such as iron or nickel or alloys composed of those metals would be superior choices, but other metallic material would suffice as well.  
         [0032]     The positioning of  36  on door  30 , and  34  on body  12  at the perimeter of compartment  32  is not essential to the formation of a proper functioning magnetic clasp. It should be appreciated that clasp member  34  can also be formed of a permanent magnet material, as with clasp member  36 , and that with such a configuration would still enable the magnetic clasp to secure door  30  closed satisfactorily. Alternatively, clasp member  36  can be formed of a ferromagnetic material and still enable the magnetic clasp to satisfactorily secure door  30  closed. This is dependent on clasp member  34  being comprised of a permanent magnet if clasp member  36  is nonmagnetic. It is desirable that at least one permanent magnetic clasp member be mounted on either door  30  or body  12 . Whether that is clasp member  34  or  36  is immaterial. Eliminating clasp member  34 , which has been formed from ferromagnetic material, is possible if body  12  is constructed of a ferromagnetic material, and clasp member  36  is comprised of a permanent magnet, or vice versa. Alternatively, multiple clasp members  36  and clasp members  34  can be used as well in forming a magnetic clasp to secure door  30 .  
         [0033]     The site that clasp member  36  is placed on door  30  and that clasp member  34  is placed on body  12  can be altered as well, and yet still be capable of achieving the objective of securing door  30 . The magnetic clasp should preferably provide sufficient binding strength to prevent the inadvertent opening of the hinged door, yet still be easy enough to open, which makes the process of placing pictures in the image compartment convenient. As a result of hinged door  30  and the magnetic clasp, images placed in compartment  32  of the key chain body can be changed quickly and easily with confidence that the images will remain inside compartment  32 .  
         [0034]     Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.