Temporary support structure, particularly for emergency keys

Abstract: The structure is constituted by at least one planar base (3) having one or more seats (4) for the key (2) and one or more means (9,11) for temporary hooking to grip elements (12) provided at least on the head (7) of the key (2). Advantageously, the head of the key furthermore has means for temporary coupling to another head of one or more other keys. Conveniently, furthermore, with said base there are associable one or more removable data plates (22) bearing data such as identification elements of a code for the key and/or of the owner thereof.

Description: The present invention relates to a temporary support structure, particularly for emergency keys. Numerous structures of devices adapted to allow the mutual collation of keys are currently known: among these, the use is known of a simple open metallic ring having its ends partially superimposed so as to allow, once they are elastically deformed, their insertion at a hole formed at the head of the keys. Key-rings are furthermore known, for example, having an engagement seat for the end of an element for coupling to a small hook attached to an open eyelet having its ends partially superimposed and elastically deformable by pressure so as to allow their insertion at a hole provided in the head of the key. All these known types of key-rings and keys have, however, some disadvantages: known key-rings are in fact bulky and have considerable weight. Furthermore, when it is necessary to have available a copy of a single key, for example that of the house door or of the car or of the safe-deposit box, to be used in case of loss of the original, it is impossible to store the same in a pocket or in a handbag or in a wallet: in the first two cases it is in fact very difficult to find it, among the other objects or keys, in a rapid and univocal manner, while in the third case the key may easily be lost every time the wallet is inserted in, and extracted from, the pocket in which it is kept. As a partial solution to this disadvantage, a support is known, which is produced by molding, and which is constituted by a sheet of plastic material, whereon there is provided a pair of keys, the heads of whereof are connected to the sheet by means of a partially elastically deformable bridge. Though this support allows, for example, its placement inside a wallet, it has some disadvantages: since the keys are made of plastic material and since they have a very small thickness, they are subject to breakage every time they undergo torsion, i.e. when they have to operate a lock and move a door. The point of coupling of the head to the stem on which the notches corresponding to each individual lock are provided is in fact highly stressed, so that the use of such keys cannot be, in any case, prolonged in time, i.e. for more than a small number of applications. Secondly, the coupling bridge between the head and the support is also subject to breakages, since the key must be removed from the sheet and rotated through approximately 180 degrees in order to be used. Once the key is separated from the support, the latter loses its original function and therefore becomes unusable. It is furthermore stressed that said support is obtained by molding: this means that for each type and configuration of key it is necessary to prepare a specific mold with consequent high production costs. "From US-A-4 637 236 a device is known as defined in the preamble of claim 1. The practicality in use and the weight of such known device are objectionable." The aim of the object of the present application is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types, by providing a support for one or more keys which can be stored in a wallet, handbag, pocket or similar, so as to be rapidly and selectively identifiable by its owner. Within the above described aim, an important object is to provide a support for one or more keys which allows the optimum use of the key even for a very high number of applications, maintaining at the same time the previously mentioned characteristics. Still another important object is to provide a support for one or more keys which associates with the preceding characteristics that of having considerable practicality in use. Not least object is to provide a support for one or more keys which associates with the preceding characteristics that of having modest costs, being producible with known systems and machines. "The above mentioned aim and objects are achieved by a structure as defined by the combination of features recited in claim 1. The object of increasing the number of applications and the practicality in use are achieved also by the combination of features as defined in claim 3." Advantageously said head of said key has means for temporary coupling to another head of one or more keys. Conveniently, furthermore, with said base there are associable one or more removable data plates bearing data such as identification elements of a code for said key and/or of the owner thereof. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is an isometric view of the support with the key associated therewith; figure 2 is an isometric view of the opposite side of the support; figure 3 is a partially sectioned detail view of the support; figure 4 is a partially sectioned isometric view of the head of the key; figure 5 is a lateral view of the key; figure 6 is a view taken along the sectional plane VI-VI of figure 2; figure 7 is a view taken at the sectional plane VII-VII of figure 1; figure 8 is a partially sectioned isometric view of the head of a key according to a second aspect of the invention; figure 9 is a lateral view of two coupled keys; figure 10 is a view, similar to that of figure 8, of a third embodiment of the head of the key; figure 11 is a view of two keys according to figure 10 coupled to one another; With reference to the above described figures, the temporary support structure, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, for keys 2, particularly of the emergency type, is constituted by at least one planar base 3 produced in plastic material. At said base 3 there is provided at least one first through seat 4 having greater dimensions than those of the key 2, the thickness of said base 3 being approximately equal to that of the stem 5 of said key 2. Said first seat 4 thus has a first region 6 affected by the head 7 of the key 2 and a second region 8 affected by the stem 5 of said key. At said first region said temporary support structure has a means for hooking to the head 7 of the key 2 constituted by a crosspiece 9 having a height slightly smaller than the thickness of the base 3. Said crosspiece 9 constitutes a hooking means for the head 7 of the key 2, on said head there being in fact provided, transversely thereto, a second seat 10 shaped complementarily to the crosspiece 9. The structure of temporary support furthermore comprises first temporary engagement means for the head 7 of the key 2, said first temporary engagement means being constituted by an elastically deformable tab 11 protruding from said support structure approximately at the mid-longitudinal axis of said structure. Said tab 11 interacts with an adapted grip element, provided on the head 7 of the key 2, constituted by a third seat 12 provided on said head both at the surface opposite to the one having the second seat 10 and at the longitudinal mid-axis of said key. Said third seat 12 only partially affects the tickness of the head 7, has a preferably semicircular configuration with concavity directed towards the stem 5, and is provided at the perimetral edge 13 of the head 7. The structure 1 furthermore has second temporary engagement means for the head 7 of the key 2, said second means being constituted by a pair of wings 14a and 14b obtained on said supporting structure at the perimetral edge 15 of the first seat 4 connecting the first region 6 and the second region 8. Said pair of wings 14a and 14b is arranged at the plane of the surface 16 of the base 3 opposite to the surface 17 at which the crosspiece 9 is present. Said pair of wings 14a and 14b has a much smaller thickness than that of the supporting structure, there being provided, on the latter, a fourth seat 18 shaped complementarily to the rounded corners 19 and 20 of the head 7 adjacent to the stem 5. At said corners 19 and 20 of the head 7 some material is furthermore removed at the same surface in which the third seat 12 is provided to define fifth engagement seats 19 and 21 for the pair of wings 14a and 14b. At the base 3 there are furthermore applicable or directly provideable one or more data plates 22 bearing data such as those of identification of a code for the key and/or the personal data of the owner of the key and/or any addresses to which it is to be sent in case of loss. The use of the invention is as follows: since the key is preferably but not necessarily produced with a metallic stem 5 and a head 7 in plastic material, the user has available a key the use whereof has no problems linked to deformations of said key during its interaction with the lock. As well as permitting optimum use of the key, which can even be of commonly commercially available type, the key can also be associated with the temporary supporting structure 1 in many manners among which the following is shown: once the base 3 is gripped, it is sufficient to place the head 7 of the key 2 at the first region 6 of the first seat 4 in a slightly inclined manner, positioning the second seat 10 at the crosspiece 9 and the third seat 12 at the tab. Thus the key is slightly inclined, the tab 11 having to be forced to place the second seat 10 at the crosspiece 9. Consequently, the tab 11 becomes elastically deformed and the user forces the key until the fifth seats 19 and 21 of the head 7 are positioned at the pair of wings 14a and 14b. This having been done, the key 2 is perfectly associated with the temporary support structure 1 allowing therefore to store the same for example in a pocket or in a wallet, allowing the subsequent easy and immediate identification and retrieval thereof. Naturally it is possible to associate the key 2 with the support structure 1 by first performing the positioning of the fifth seats 19 and 21 of the head 7 at the pair of wings 14a and 14b to then position the second seat 10 at the crosspiece 9 and then elastically deform the tab 11 to place it at the third seat 12. Naturally to uncouple the key 2 from the base 3 it is sufficient to operate in a sequence opposite to the one described heretofore. It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a supporting structure having been provided, usable for one or more keys, which can be stored for example in a wallet, a handbag, or in a pocket so that it is rapidly and selectively identifiable by its owner. On the base 3, in fact, a plurality of seats 4 for individual keys may be provided. It has been furthermore observed that the support allows optimum use of the key even for a very high number of applications, the key itself not being subjected to deformations of any kind. The support structure furthermore has characteristics of considerable practicality in use, it being possible to store it together with the key for example inside a wallet. The base may furthermore have any configuration, and the configuration of the head of the key may similarly be any. Naturally the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations. Thus, for example, figures 8 and 9 illustrate a second embodiment for the head 107 of the key 102, the latter having, on the surface opposite to that in which the second seat 110 is provided, a transverse raised portion 123 shaped complementary with respect to said second seat 110. It is thus possible to mutually collate a plurality of keys simply by inserting the transverse raised portion 123 of one key at the second seat 110 of another key. Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a third embodiment in which on the head 207 there is provided, at a longitudinal perimetral edge, a protrusion 224 having, in a transverse cross section, an L-shaped configuration protruding perpendicularly from said perimetral edge and having a wing with smaller dimensions with respect to the thickness of said head. At the other longitudinal edge of said head 207 there is provided a sixth seat 225 shaped complementarily with respect to said protrusion 224. It is thus possible, as illustrated in figure 11, to mutually associate a plurality of keys by arranging them side by side. Naturally, the materials and the dimensions constituting the individual components of the structure, such as for example the head and/or the stem of the key and/or the base, may also be the most suitable according to the specific requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Temporary support structure for emergency keys (2, 102), said structure comprising at least one planar base (3) with a first surface (16) on one side thereof and with a second surface (17) on the opposite side thereof, said planar base (3) having at least one first through seat (4) for a key (2), said first through seat (4) having a first region (6) for receiving the head of a key (2) and a second region (8) for receiving the stem of a key (2), said structure having engagement means (9, 11) for temporary engagement to a key (2), characterized in that arranged in said first region (6) is one of said engagement means having the form of a crosspiece (9) for temporary engagement with the head of a key, said crosspiece (9) extending transverse to the longitudinal extension of said through seat (4) and arranged in said first region (6) is another of said engagement means having the form of a deformable tab (11) for temporary engagement with the head of a key, said tab (11) protruding into said through seat from said support structure approximately at the longitudinal mid axis thereof and wherein said structure has further engagement means constituted by a pair of wings (14a, 14b) for temporary engagement with the head of a key, said wings being formed on said base (3) at the primetral edge (15) of said first seat (4) connecting said first region (6) to said second region (8), said wings (14a, 14b) being arranged at the plane of said first surface (16) of said base (3) opposite to said second surface (17) to which said crosspiece (9) is connected. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said wings (14a, 14b) have a smaller thickness than that of said base (3), there being provided thereby, on the latter, rounded seats (18) for the head of a key (2). Temporary support structure in combination with at least one emergency key (2, 102) of the type comprising a head (7, 107) rigidly associated with a stem (5) perimetrically shaped so as to allow the actuation of a lock, said structure comprising at least one planar base (3) with a first surface (16) on one side thereof and with a second surface (17) on the opposite side thereof, said planar base (3) having at least one first through seat (4) for a key (2), said first through seat (4) having a first region (6) for receiving the head of a key (2) and a second region (8) for receiving the stem of a key (2), said structure having engagement means (9, 11) for temporary engagement to grip elements (10,12;110) provided on said key (2), characterized in that, arranged in said first region (6) of said support structure is one of said engagement means having the form of a crosspiece (9) extending transverse to the longitudinal extension of said through seat (4), said crosspiece (9) being in temporary engagement with a second seat (10,110) shaped complementarily to said crosspiece (9) and provided on one surface side of the head (7, 107) of said key and arranged in said first region (6) of said support structure is another of said engagement means having the form of a deformable tab (11) protruding into said through seat from said support structure approximately at the longitudinal mid axis thereof and in temporary engagement with a grip element (12) for said tab (11), said grip element being constituted by a third seat provided at the surface opposite to that having said second seat and in the longitudinal mid-axis of said key (7,107). A support structure and key combination according to claim 3, wherein said grip element provided at the opposite surface side of said key head and forming said third seat (12) having a depth smaller than the thickness of said head (7) and a preferably semicircular configuration with concavity directed towards said tab (11). A support structure and key combination according to one or more of claims 3-4, wherein said support structure has further engagement means for temporary engagement with the head (7, 107) of said key, said further engagement means constituted by a pair of wings (14a, 14b) formed on said base (3) at the primetral edge (15) of said first seat (4) connecting said first region (6) to said second region (8), said wings (14a, 14b) being arranged at the plane of said first surface (16) of said base (3) opposite to said second surface (17) to which said crosspiece (9) is connected. A support structure and key combination, according to one or more of the claims 3-5, wherein said wings (14a,14b) have a smaller thickness than that of said base, there being provided thereby on the latter a fourth seat (18) shaped complementarily to rounded seats (21) of said head of said key adjacent to said stem (5). A support structure and key combination according to one ore more of the claims 3-6, wherein at rounded corners (19,20) on said head there is removed, at the same surface in which said third seat (12) is provided, some material to define fifth engagement seats (21) for said pair of wings (14a, 14b). A support structure and key combination according to one or more of claims 3-7, wherein said head (107) of said key (102) has means for temporary coupling to another key constituted by a transverse raised portion (123) protruding from said head on said second surface side opposite to said second seat (110), said transverse raised portion being shaped complementarily to said second seat. A support structure and key combination according to one or more of claims 3 and 5, wherein, as an an alternative to the key structure, said first and said second surface sides of said key head (207) are smooth and wherein said head (207) of said key (202) has means for temporary coupling to another key constituted by a protrusion (224), projecting perpendicularly at a longitudinal perimetrical edge of said head and having in transverse cross section an L-shaped configuration with one wing having smaller dimensions with respect to the thickness of said head, on the other longitudinal perimetrical edge of said head there being provided a sixth seat (225) shaped complementarily to said protrusion.

Inventors: OLIANA PIERLUIGI, OLIANA, PIERLUIGI
Applicants: OLIANA PIERLUIGI, OLIANA, PIERLUIGI
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E05B19
IPC codes: G09F3, A45C11