Abstract:
A key holder for retaining one or more latch keys has a flexible key holder member that retains its shape when formed into a loop. The key holder member is made of a sturdy cable encased in a sleeve to prevent damage to user&#39;s clothes. The key holder can freely rotate in relation to the carrier while the keys can rotate between a plurality of selected positions in relation to the key holder member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a device for holding keys and more particularly to a device for holding one or more latch keys in an easily accessible manners It is particularly applicable to the use of latch key cases to prevent damage to clothes or lining of a purse. 
         [0002]    The use of key holders within key cases has been prevalent for many years wherever keys must be used and selected in an orderly manner, and carried where damage might occur to clothing or compactness is desirable. My earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,003 discloses the use of a triangularly-shaped, rigid loop key holder secured on a backing with a looped member. The latch keys are removably positioned on the triangular key holder and are substantially enclosed by the backing when the backing is closed. The backing forms a key case that prevents damage to the pocket lining of a user by the keys. 
         [0003]    Under some circumstances it is preferable to have a relatively sturdy but somewhat flexible key holder instead of a rigid key holder. This invention is directed to the provision of such a device a key case that would allow a greater flexibility, spacing, and ease of use of a selected key for its intended purpose than earlier designs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention, to provide a key holder device that allows to substantially enclose the latch keys by the key ring carrier. 
         [0005]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a relatively flexible key ring that still retains its shape to allow sufficient spacing between the keys for rotation of the keys within the key holder member. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key holder device that allows storage of the keys within the key holder in a relatively flat position when enclosed by the key holder case. 
         [0007]    These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a key holder device for holding one or more keys, particularly latch keys that have openings in them at their bases. The key holder device comprises a flexible foldable carrier body having pre-determined lineal dimensions and an inner surface, a flexible key holder member capable of being formed into a loop-shaped form and capable of retaining the loop-shaped form without collapsing. The key holder member has a cable core, a sleeve substantially encasing said core, and a pair of securing members carried by opposing ends of the key holder member that are adapted for mutual engagement when forming a loop for retaining said one or more keys thereon. 
         [0008]    A securing strip is positioned on the inner surface of the carrier body for securing the key holder member to the carrier body while allowing free rotation of the key holder member in relation to the carrier body. A universal pivot element secured to the securing strip allows the key holder cable to pass through the pivot member and thereby ensures free rotation of the key holder member in relation to the carrier member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Reference will not be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the key holder device in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the key holder body along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the device of the present invention with the backing carrier in a partially closed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral  10  designates the latch key holder device in accordance with the present invention. The device l  0  comprises a carrier or backing  12  that can be elongated, as shown in  FIG. 1  or other suitable shape. The carrier  12  is formed from a flexible material, such as leather, cloth and the like to allow the carrier to be folded in a substantially enclosing relationship over the latch keys. The carrier  12  has a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The second end  16  can be cut to terminate at a narrow point, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or can be made straight. As shown in  FIG. 3 . The embodiment in  FIG. 3  comprises the carrier  12  of a generally rectangular configuration. 
         [0014]    A first locking member  18  is secured near the first end  14  and a second locking member  20  is secured near the second end  16 . When the carrier is folded closed. the locking member  20  can detachably engage the locking member  18  and keep the carrier  12  closed. The locking members  18  may be snaps, hooks, strips of hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. 
         [0015]    A securing strip  30  is attached to the carrier  12  by attachment means  32   34  or by other suitable attachment means, such as glue, snips, hook-and-loop fasteners or the like. An opening  36  is formed adjacent one side  38  of the securing strip  30 . An attachment member  40  is secured to the securing strip  30  through the opening  36 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the attachment member  40  is an elongated flexible non-resilient member bent into a loop, with the ends placed in the opening  36  and secured between the inner surface  15  of the carrier  12  and a back surface of the securing strip  30 . Of course, other attachment means can be used, if desired. 
         [0016]    A key holder member  50  is removably secured to the loop of the attachment member  40 . The attachment member  40  forms a universal pivot for the key holder member  50 , allowing it to freely rotate with the attachment member  40  in relation to the carrier body  12 . 
         [0017]    The key holder member comprises an elongated flexible, preferably non-stretchable body and a closing member  52 . The closing member  52  comprises a pair of opposing portions  54 ,  55  that threadably engage together to close the loop formed by the key holder member  50 . The loop formed by the key holder member  50  may be oval or circular and has a sufficient diameter that allows latch keys  60  to freely move on the key holder member  50  and rotate about an axis of the key holder member. The longitudinal axes of the latch key  60  can be oriented at any desired degree, for instance, 45°, 60°, or 180° in relation to the inner surface  15  of the carrier member  12 . 
         [0018]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the key holder member  50  comprises a flexible, non-stretchable core  56  substantially encased in a hollow sleeve  58 . The core  56  can be made from a cable comprised of a plurality of individual wires twisted together to form a strong flexible body that is capable of retaining its shape under normal handling conditions. The sleeve  58  can be formed from a flexible, bendable material, such as for instance plastic with smooth outer exterior to prevent snagging or scratching by the sleeve  58 . The key holder member can be shaped into a loop when the closure members  54 , are secured together. The key holder member  50  is capable of retaining its loop-shaped shape/configuration without collapsing. The key holder member  50  is still flexible enough to be able to slightly flex when required. 
         [0019]    The latch keys, as a general rule, have holes  61  in their bases, through which the key holder member  50  extends when the keys are secured to the key holder member  50 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the latch keys  60  are suspended on the key holder-member  50 , while the carrier  12  is in its open position. Once the user finishes using the keys  60 , the user can move the keys such that their fat faces lie against the inner surface  15  of the carrier  12 . The ring formed by the key holder body  50  is pivoted and also lies flat against the inner surface  15  of the carrier  12 . In this position, shown in  FIG. 3 , the latch keys  60  and the key holder member  50  ale substantially superimposed over the body of the carrier  12 . 
         [0020]    The user can fold the carrier  12  to substantially cover the latch keys and the ring  50  and secure the ends of the carrier with the snaps  18 ,  20 . Preferably the lineal dimensions of the carrier backing  12  are sufficient to enclose the keys  60  and the key holder ring  50 . Once closed, the key holder device  10  presents a compact appear-once allowing the user to place the device  10  in a pocket or purse without the danger of damaging pocket lining and purse lining. 
         [0021]    Of course, if the carrier body  12  is made sufficiently large, the locking members  18  and  20  can be positioned on the back surface of the carrier body  12  and allow the carrier body to substantially envelope the keys and the key holder member. 
         [0022]    It is noted that, when in the storage disposition, the keys  60  can lie side-by-side at an angle (for example fifteen degrees) to the base key holder member  50  with the keys in partial face-to-face engagement, as shown in  FIG. 3 , with the shanks of the keys extending from the key holder member  50  toward the attachment strip  30 . The large loop formed by the key holder member  50  facilitates selection and use of the keys as needed. The cable wire material of the core  56  is rigid in the sense that it is at least self-supporting and retains a basic, set shape in use but can be flexed when needed. 
         [0023]    Many changes and modifications can be made in the design and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof.  1 , therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.