Abstract:
A mechanically levered spring coil key ring opener in which the thumb and fore finger digit operating the levered opener are generally protected from coming into contact with the spring coil key ring capable of breaking fingernails and cutting the operators digits on the hand or the hand itself. The levered key ring opener is spring loaded in the open position ready to insert the points of the prongs between the spring coil ring strips and with the minor thumb and fore finger pressure, the leverage is sufficient to create an opening between adjacent coil ring strips of the key ring to insert or remove a key of most thicknesses.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a mechanically leveraged key ring opener and more particularly, to a key ring opener that generally protects the operators digits and hand while engaging the typical spring coil key ring. 
         [0003]    Nearly ever person who has every attempted to open a spring coil key ring with various prior art key ring opening tools or substitute tools like a finger nail file eventually runs into the same problem of nicking a digit, thumb or hand with the sharp end of the circular spring coil key ring while inserting keys of various thicknesses. This potential injury of a digit, thumb or hand especially happens when a person is in a hurry to remove or attach house keys and the like to a spring coil key ring when leaving or picking up their car with a valet, car dealer, garage mechanic or other car attendant. The chance of engaging the sharp ends of a typical spring coil key ring causing a broken fingernail or other injury when spreading the adjacent coils of the key ring to manipulate a key in a hurried situation is greatly increased by the prior art devices. 
         [0004]    Moreover, service professionals at various commercial establishments who need to attach or remove numerous customer car and other keys from a spring coil key ring throughout a days work need an opener that is easy to work but yet keeps their digits, thumbs and hands from abrasions, lost finger nails and further potential injury. 
         [0005]    In addition, most car owners use the spring coil key rings to secure a host of keys on the ring, which interfere with the connection and disconnection of keys from the key ring. Fumbling with a number of keys on the typical spring coil ring while attempting to force open the key ring coils to insert or remove a key takes a considerable amount of force which is often difficult and frustrating to get the right leverage to open the coils of the key ring sufficiently and effortlessly for the insertion or removal of the chosen key. In fact, most keys themselves make a terrible wedge to open the spring coil key rings of today and almost always end up in the loss of a finger nail or worse while attempting to start a key insertion at one of the spring coil ends. 
         [0006]    2. Prior Art 
         [0007]    There are a number of mechanical key ring tools disclosed in various issued patents but they are insufficient often times to get the right mechanical leverage to open a crowded spring coil key ring. Examples of such prior art key ring openers can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,405 to Berwick; U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,717 to Gore et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,778 to Murphy et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,477 to Rousseau; U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,273 to Gibbons and GB 2,175,532 to Van Meter. Each of the patents however, lack sufficient leverage on large key rings to separate the spring coils of the key ring to insert or remove the selected key and still insure that a digit, thumb or hand will not engage the sharp end of the spring coil when the tool slips or the sharp end touches the operator while inserting the tool itself. 
         [0008]    Some of these prior art tools are either attached or retained on the key ring itself which leaves their sharp tool protrusions like those found in the Gibbons or the elongated polygonal wedge shaped member found in Berwick that open the opposing coils of the key ring to engage and damage clothing material in a pocket or jab a person in the leg or worse when sitting down while these opening devices are attached to the key rings and stored in various clothing pockets. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to avoid one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a mechanically leveraged spring coil key ring opener that maximizes the leverage applied anywhere along the circumference of the key ring yet is simple and convenient to use without exposing the hands, thumbs or digits to unnecessary risk of injury. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a mechanically leveraged key ring opener that allows the operator to apply maximum force between the spring coils anywhere around the circumference of a typical spring coil key ring and especially at either one of the spring coil ends to easily spread apart the end of the coil from the adjacent coil for the insertion and removal of hard to get at keys anywhere on the key ring circumference even when the key ring is essentially full of keys without risking injury to a thumb, digit or hand during the operation. 
         [0011]    A mechanically leveraged key ring opener of the present invention is generally comprised of two essentially identical opposing members, each member having a generally oblong shape of a predetermined length, width and thickness that terminates at one end in a hooked prong with a generally rounded nose at its point that is spaced apart from the rounded nose on the other member a predetermined distance, and each member having the other end of its oblong shape joined to the other member in an affixed and rotatably connection thereto including a spring affixed to each member at the connected ends of the member to force apart the respective noses of the members the predetermined distance such that each nose swings in an arc toward and pass one another in a generally close adjacent relationship to each other to engage between two adjacent circumference lengths of a spring coil key ring on the inner and outer circumferences thereof to split the coils axially apart from one another for the insertion and removal of keys in a leveraged manner without any great force being applied by the thumb and forefinger of the operator on the backside of the opposing noses on each member. A surface either integrally or separately attached in a generally perpendicular relationship to the backside of each nose forming opposing platforms for placing at least one digit on the surface of one platform and a thumb on the other platform to rotate the noses in an arc toward one another to engage the opposite sides or circumferences of two adjacent spring coil rings on the key ring and driving the coiled rings axially apart up to a predetermined distance as the noses pass one another to a predetermined point in their travel in which the adjacent coils move apart axially as the coils travel up the curved underside of each nose away from one another. The opposing noses swinging in the arc toward one another allows an easy thumb and finger pressure on the opposing platforms behind each nose to place a leveraged pressure on axially separating adjacent coil rings of the spring coil key ring. The lever action of opposing noses is not accomplished by any prior art tools which essentially jam a single wedge or point between adjacent coil rings to axially move the coil rings apart in order to insert or remove a key from the key ring. 
         [0012]    Moreover, the finger and thumb opposing and perpendicular to the nose platforms provide a shield or guard against the two ends of a typical spring coil key ring coming into contact with the hands, fingers or thumbs of the end user or operator of the opener. 
         [0013]    In addition, if there are many keys on the key ring, the opener can be applied anywhere along the circumference of the key ring to provide a space between adjacent coils to slide the selected key easily along toward the end of the coil to remove the key. On crowded key rings with many different keys secured thereon, this is a particular helpful feature of the present invention. On many of the prior art ring key openers, the wedge or point needs to engage near or at the end of one spring coil adjacent the other in order to begin the axial separation of the adjacent coils. Still other opener tools of the prior art had to be flipped around to change directions before connecting or disconnecting a key while the present invention allows for the one simple arcing movement of the opposing noses to accomplish the task of connecting or disconnecting the keys from the coil ring. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a sloping inner surface of each nose for one of the adjacent spring coil rings or strips to slide up on the inner portion of each nose and separate axially from the other adjacent coil ring strip that remains essentially in place sliding along the outer surface of the noses as the ends of the opposing nose closely pass by one another to there final resting position and separation distance of each coil ring from the other for the insertion or removal of key. Again, the gradually increasing slope of the underside of each nose in a generally triangular shape provides easier finger pressure forces and leverage to accomplish the splitting apart of tighter and stiffer adjacent spring coil ring strips in larger key ring chains. So the present invention makes it easier for the end user to open tighter coil spring key ring chains without worrying about losing a finger nail or injuring a hand during the key insertion or removal operation. 
         [0015]    Commercial businesses or establishments that handle hundreds of car spring coil rings per day will find it much easier to detach house keys for the owner when they are seeking work to be done on their cars at car dealers and garage repair centers. On the other hand, individuals parking their cars in lots were you must leave your car keys with the parking attendant or handing the car keys over to a valet can now easily remove their household and business keys for safety reasons from the spring coil key ring without any undue effort. 
         [0016]    Other features and advantages of the invention, which are believed to be novel and nonobvious, will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Reference is made to the claims for interpreting the full scope of the invention, which is not necessarily represented by any one embodiment. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an overall perspective view of a mechanically leveraged coil key ring opener incorporating the basic components in accordance with the present invention being actuated by the end user with a digit and thumb on opposing platforms; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the key ring opener axially spreading the spring coil ring strips of a key ring to remove or insert a key onto the key ring without the digits and thumb on the opposing platforms of  FIG. 1  showing a key about to be inserted; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the key ring opener according to the present invention wherein the key ring opener separates the spring coil ring strips and a key is inserted on a leg of the spring coil of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing a key being removed from a coil on the key ring of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a partial side view of opposing prongs on the key ring opener showing the arc of travel of the key ring opener of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the key ring opener in accordance with the invention showing a digit and thumb operating the arc movement of the opposing prongs; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the key ring opener of  FIG. 6  axially spreading the spring coil ring strips of the key ring for inserting or removing a key in accordance with the embodiments of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the key ring opener showing a digit and thumb operating the arcing movement of the opposing prongs in accordance with the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the key ring opener in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of still yet another embodiment of the key ring opener in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Although this invention is susceptible to embodiments of many different forms, a preferred embodiment will be described and illustrated in detail herein. The present disclosure exemplifies the principles of the invention and is not to be considered a limit to the broader aspects of the invention to the particular embodiment as described. 
         [0028]    Referring now to the drawings and especially to  FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 - 7  and  8 - 10 , all show a mechanically leveraged spring coil key ring opener  10  having more than one embodiment in keeping with the invention. The mechanically leveraged key ring opener  10  of the present invention is generally comprised of at least two essentially identical opposing members  12 , each member  12  having a generally oblong shape  14  of a predetermined length, width and thickness that terminates at one end in a hooked prong or jaw  16  ending with a generally rounded nose  18  having an end point  20  that is spaced apart from the rounded nose  18  on the other member  12  a predetermined distance, and each member  12  having the other end  22  of its oblong shape  14  joined to the other member by pin  24  or the like in an affixed and rotatably connection thereto including a spring  26  affixed to the pivot pin  24  and to each member  12  at the connected ends  22  of the members  12  to force apart the respective noses  18  of the members  12  the predetermined distance such that the noses  18  swing in an arc toward and pass one another in a generally a close juxtapose relationship to each other to engage between adjacent spring coil ring strips  28  on an inner  30  and an outer  32  circumference of a coil key ring  34  to split the adjacent coil ring strips  28  axially apart for insertion and removal of keys  36  in a leveraged manner without any great force being applied by a thumb  38  and at least one finger or digit  40  of an operator&#39;s hand  42  on the backside of the opposing noses  18  on each member  12  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 - 10 . A pair of generally identical surfaces  44  either integrally or separately attached in a generally perpendicular relationship to the backside  46  of each prong  16  and nose  18  forming opposing platforms  48  for placing at least one digit  40  on the surface of one platform and the thumb  38  on the other platform  48  to rotate the noses  18  of each prong  16  in an arc  50  toward one another to engage the opposite sides or circumferences  30  and  32  of two adjacent spring coil ring strips  28  on a key ring  34  driving the coils axially apart up to a predetermined distance as the noses  18  pass one another to a predetermined point in their travel in which the adjacent coil ring strips  28  move axially apart from one another as one of the coil ring strips  28  travel up the curved underside of each nose  18  away from the essentially stationary coil  28  on the outer surface of each nose  18  as the noses  18  pass one another in the generally arcing motion  50  as shown in  FIG. 5 , and in a juxtapose position. The opposing noses  18  swinging in the arc  50  toward one another allows an easy thumb  38  and finger  40  pressure on the opposing platforms  48  behind each prong  16  and nose  18  to place a leveraged pressure on axially separating adjacent spring coil ring strips  28  of the spring coil key ring  34  as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 2 . The levering action of opposing noses  18  is not accomplished by any prior art tools, which essentially jam a single wedge or point between adjacent coils  28  to axially move the coils  28  apart to insert or remove a key  36 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1-4  show two pair of opposing members  12  with each pair of opposing members  12  spaced apart a predetermined distance from the other pair of opposing members  12  to maximize the effectiveness of axially separating the spring steel coil ring strips  28  of the key ring  34  from one another when inserting and removing the keys  36  from the spring coil key ring  34 . The two pair of opposing members  12  have the platforms  48  connected perpendicular to the arcing motion across the tops of the two spaced apart pair of opposing member  12  in which each pair of opposing members having their jaw in an open position creating an opening of a predetermined distance between the end points or teeth  20  for inserting spring coil key ring therebetween. which provides the previously stated mechanical leverage that makes it easy for the operator to open the spring steel key ring strips  34  by inserting the end points  20  of the hooked prongs  16  between the adjacent spring coil ring strips  28  to axially spread them apart from each other the predetermined distance for insertion and removal of the keys  36 . The ends of the pairs of the spaced apart members  12  are hinged together at their other ends  22  by a common pivot pin  24 . 
         [0030]    With regard to the key ring opener  10  of the present invention, the opposing prongs  16 , nose  18 , points  20  and platforms  48  with its outer covers  44  are made of such materials as metals, nylon, hardened plastic or other suitable materials that are able to axially separate the spring coil rings  28  that are generally made out of steel or other suitable and durable metal or material requiring a substantial force to separate each adjacent coil  28  from the other to insert a key  36  or the like onto the key chain  34 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 1-5  and  9  show a spring biased key ring opener  10  that keeps each opposing hooked prong  16  and its nose  18  spaced apart a predetermined distance from the other for easy use by a service station or dealership personnel charged with separating many keys from car key rings. In addition, valets at restaurants who handled hundred of cars in an evening of dining where the customers only want to leave the ignition key with the valet service and to take off the house and even the trunk key, which often contains stored goods from shopping or other valuables, is in need of the present invention to make their jobs easier in removing and reinserting keys on the typical spring steel key ring chain. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 6 and 8  shows the insertion of the thumb  38  and at least one digit  40  into holes  52  on opposing hooked prongs  16  of  FIGS. 6 and 8  to open the hooked prongs  16  and their points  20  to engage the spring coils  28  for axially separating them on a key ring chain  34 . Note also that the openers in  FIGS. 6-10  are all just a single pair of opposing members  12  unlike the openers  10  of  FIGS. 1-4 , which are two pair of opposing members  12  spaced apart a predetermined distance from one another. In addition,  FIG. 6  shows a nib  50  and a detent  52  that are aligned on each opposing member  12  to engage each other when operating the tool to its closed position to hold each opposing member in a fixed closed position for the tool for carrying the tool in an end users pocket or for storage purposes. 
         [0033]    In addition, the opener  10  is able to be made out of a single piece of spring metal that general is in the same configuration the previously describe opener  10  in which the two members  12  are held apart by the naturally memory of the spring metal. Here as in the other openers  10  an important feature is the opposing hooked prongs  16  that end in a similar rounded off opposing noses  18  and points  20  that are spaced apart a predetermined arcing distance from one another to protect the end user from jabbing themselves with a sharp point to engage the spring coils  28  that are often found in prior art key ring openers. 
         [0034]    Another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , an opener  10  in which the prongs  16  are in a bias closed position without the spring  26  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9  keeping the opposing points  20  opened a predetermined space, provides for storage or carrying in an end user&#39;s pocket. Each hooked prong  16  or nose  18  includes indentations or holes  52  near the end of each nose  18  such that the operator can grip the sides of the opener  10  with a thumb  38  and a digit  40  to open the jaws formed by the two hooked prongs  16  and their respective noses  18  and points  20 . Then when the opposing points  20  are closed like a jaw between adjacent coils  28  like previously described, the spring coil rings  28  are axially separated from one another to insert or remove a key  36  on the spring coil key ring  34 . 
         [0035]    Also, the outer cover of the platform  48  on the backside of each hooked prong  16  and nose  18  may be integral with the material of the hooked prong  16  and nose  18  or a separate material like plastic or the like mounted onto the backside  46  of the hooked prong  16  and nose  18 . In short, the present invention easily opens expandable coil type key rings  34  having a circular coil  28  with strip ends that partially over lap one another to allow the insertion or removal of keys and remote actuators for vehicles without causing damage or injury to the keys  36  or to the person&#39;s hand  42 , fingers  40  and thumb  38  doing the insertion or removal. The upper and lower opposing members  12  and their respective hooked prongs  16  and noses  18  are generally made of metal and connected to each other by a typical hinged pin  24 . The outer coverings  44  of the opposing platforms  48  for placing a person&#39;s finger  40  thereon are generally made of plastic, rubber or metal in an array of pleasing colors. But the important thing is the leverage that this key ring opening tool  10  of the present invention gives the person operating it whether the key ring opener  10  is biased open with the spring  26  in  FIGS. 1-5  and  FIG. 9  or generally bias closed as shown and described for the opener  10  in  FIG. 6-8  and  FIG. 10 . With just minor effort on the part of the end user, the key ring coil strips  28  are axially separated and held open without great effort on the end user&#39;s part while the keys  36  and the remote car fob (not shown) are removed without injuring a finger nail, finger or hand. 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , opposing members  12  extend rearwardly to their respective hinged pins  24  and then continue to extend rearwardly beyond the hinged pins  24  to form handles out of the other ends  22  for getting even greater mechanical leverage to open spring coil key rings  34 . The portions of the these openers  10  engaging the adjacent spring coil ring strips  28  of the typical spring key ring chains  34  are essentially the same as the previously described components of the other key ring openers  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  and  6 - 8  with the hooked prongs  16  and rounded noses  18  ending in points  20  for insertion between adjacent spring coils  28  of a spring coil key chain  34 . 
         [0037]    Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.