Abstract:
This invention is directed toward a flat, washer-like key ring. In some embodiments, the key ring is substantially circular. It is distinct from prior art in that the key ring largely, or entirely, resides in a single plane, as opposed to being concentric circles overlapped one on top of the other. The key ring has a split line running through a portion of its body. The split line creates inner and outer segments along a portion of the plane of the body. The split line can be non-linear, in that it may not be a straight line. As such, the split line has protrusions and slots running along its length. These protrusions and slots interact mechanically to allow the key ring to remain securely closed, and endure greater radial forces, by coupling the inner and outer segments together. The inner and outer segments are also releasably attached so as to facilitate the addition or removal of a key.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a substantially flat key ring. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    For centuries individuals have used key rings to hold, organize, and easily transport the keys they use on a regular basis. Some examples of this type of key ring are disclosed in the following United States Patents, the entire contents of which are all hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 603,247 entitled “Key-Holder” (“247 patent”), U.S. Pat. No. 1,462,205 entitled “Key Ring and the Like,” and Pat. No. D666,407 entitled “Key Ring.” These style key rings have the advantages of being durable and compact. The disadvantage, however, of these type of key rings is—it is often very difficult to separate the rings in order to add or remove keys. 
         [0003]    Indeed, the &#39;247 patent sought to overcome the difficulty of adding or removing keys. According to the inventor, his “invention relates more particularly to key-holders commonly known as ‘split-rings,’ but is also applicable to other forms of key holders composed of a single piece of wire or strip of metal in which a separation of overlapping portions of the wire or metal is requisite for the insertion or removal of a key. Split rings as commonly constructed have their free ends flush with the body of the ring, and when composed of specifically stiff or heavy metal it is extremely difficult to expand them sufficiently for the insertion or removal of a key without other aid than the fingers and the use of a knife-blade or other suitable article for this purpose . . . .” &#39;247 patent at 8-22. The &#39;247 patent went on to solve this problem by disclosing a key holder that would “admit of a ready separation of the parts without other aid than the key itself when being applied to the holder and which may be readily separated by hand in removing a key therefrom;” &#39;247 patent at 34-38. Although the &#39;247 patent issued in 1898, still, over a century later, modern day key rings are very difficult to separate in such a way so as to be able to add or remove a key. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical prior art key ring  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , prior art key rings  100  typically consist of two concentric approximate circles  110 ,  120  proximal to one another. The lower approximate circle  110  and the upper approximate circle  120  are made of a single wire  102 , which has been bent to form the two concentric approximate circles  110  and  120 . One of the reasons that the two concentric approximate circles  110  and  120  are referred to as “approximate circles” and not just “circles” is because, as can be seen in  FIG. 1 , starting neither of the approximate circles  110 ,  120  is a comprised of a full 360-degrees of metal, or alternative material, within a single plane. This design feature allows a user to longitudinally displace an end, e.g.,  112  of an approximate circle  110  in order to add or remove a key. 
         [0005]    Keeping keys securely in place is an obvious goal of any key ring. In order to keep keys in place, key rings must be able to withstand radial and orthogonal, out of plane forces that will be placed upon the key ring during ordinary use. Referring to  FIG. 1 , latitudinal forces would occur both as latitudinal forces along the x-axis  160  and longitudinal forces along the y-axis  165 . Prior art key rings  100  are able to withstand substantial radial forces without compromising the integrity of the key ring&#39;s  100  ability to keep the keys secure. This is a function of the fact that prior art key rings  100  are typically comprised of two concentric approximate circles of wire  110 ,  120  having a fairly large relative wire gauge diameter to the wind diameter of the concentric circles. 
         [0006]    In terms of orthogonal force, it is desirable for the key ring to require sufficient orthogonal such that keys do not easily fall off of the key ring unintentionally. The orthogonal force should not, on the other hand, be so great that it is difficult to add or remove keys. The orthogonal force required to displace an end  112  of an approximate circle  110  sufficiently to facilitate the addition or removal of a key depends upon the ratio of the area moment of inertia (of the key ring cross section) to the diameter of the key ring. The area moment of inertia is proportional to the thickness of the key ring and the band width, defined as the difference between the outer and inner radii. Most key rings are designed with a sufficiently large wire gauge diameter so as to resist radial forces exerted on the key ring. However, the round nature of the wire used creates an equally resilient geometry resisting orthogonal forces. This results in a burdensome task for the user to overcome the orthogonal force required to add or remove keys. 
         [0007]    Because of this difficulty, there are numerous patents directed toward devices that assist individuals in separating the concentric rings of a typical key ring in order to add or remove keys. As examples, the following U.S. patents and patent applications, each of the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, are directed towards devices that assist a user in adding or removing a key from a traditional key ring: US2009/0235705 entitled “Key Ring Tool,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,608 entitled “Key Ring Opener Assembly,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,130 entitled “Easy-to-Maneuver Key-Ring.” While these tools can overcome the difficulty of adding or removing keys from modern day key rings, they do not overcome the original problem presented in the &#39;247 patent, i.e., adding or removing keys from a key rings was difficult to do in the late 1800&#39;s without the assistance of extra tools; and adding or removing a key from a key ring is still difficult to do over a century later without using a separate tool. 
         [0008]    Some inventors have addressed this long-standing problem by altering the basic shape of the key ring. By way of example, all of the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, U.S. Pat. No. 803,839 entitled “Key-Ring,” disclosed carabiner-style triangular and square key rings, while U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0087063, entitled “Key Ring Assembly,” was directed toward a key ring having a light bulb shape. While these types of key rings are easier to open than the traditional key rings described above, they are bulkier to carry, and therefore less desirable to a substantial number of consumers. 
         [0009]    There is, therefore, a need in the art for a round key ring that is capable of securely holding one&#39;s keys, while simultaneously providing an easy means for adding and removing keys without the need to rely on a separate tool or to risk bending one&#39;s fingernails, which is painful and annoying. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention disclosed herein overcomes some of the shortcomings of the prior art by disclosing a flat, washer-like key ring which in one embodiment is cut in two dimensions from a sheet of metal to form a specific geometry that is strong in the direction of radial forces but easy to bend the ends of the ring apart in the longitudinal direction. The ends of the key ring are further specifically designed to easily allow a user&#39;s fingers to manipulate while at the same time not allowing keys to risk accidentally falling from the ring. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art key ring. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a plan view of a cross-section of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a plan view of flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein showing how a key can be added or removed from the key ring. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein showing a key secured thereon. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a flat, washer-like key ring of embodiments disclosed herein. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of an S-shaped member used in some embodiments to create a key ring according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Those of skill in the art will recognize throughout this specification that when like terms are used to describe features and functionalities of various portions of a particular embodiment, those same features and functionalities could be present in additional embodiments having aspects with like terms. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2A  shows an embodiment of the inventive key ring  200 . The key ring  200  of this embodiment is comprised of a flat, planar, looped body  210  in some embodiments. One measure of the flatness of an object is its aspect ratio of a cross-sectional area taken as a function of width over thickness. In the embodiment of the key ring  200 , the aspect ratio  210  of a cross sectional area, taken as a function of width  212  over thickness  214  could range from 2 to 6. In embodiments of the present invention, I disclose a planar key ring  200  as opposed to prior art key rings  100 , which consisted of two concentric approximate circles  110 ,  120  proximal to one another. The planar key ring  200  occupies a single plane  210  in some embodiments, as opposed to having stacked geometric shapes as is evident in the prior art. 
         [0025]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2A , key ring  200  includes a split  220  within its planar structure  210 . An alternate embodiment of key ring  300  is shown in  FIG. 3A , which also includes a split  320 . The split  320  is a cut through the body of the key ring  300 . The split  320  could formed with a laser cutter, an electrical discharge machining (EDM), electro-chemical erosion, water jet cutting, or similar techniques known to those skilled in the art. When the split  320  is cut into the body of the key ring  300 , the result is, a portion of the key ring  300  has been cut into an outer segment  330  and an inner segment  340 , as can be seen in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0026]    The outer segment  330  and the inner segment  340  are complimentarily contoured so that they can couple together to form a secure hold. In some embodiments, the outer segment  330  or the inner segment  340  or both could further include a protrusion or a slot. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , the outer segment  330  includes protrusion  332  and slot  334 . Inner segment  340  includes protrusion  342  and slot  344 . The protrusions  332 ,  342  are configured to fit securely within the slots  334 ,  344 , thereby creating a complimentarily contoured surface that facilitates coupling between the outer segment  330  and the inner segment  340 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3C  depicts the key ring  300  in a releasably detached position. When the key ring  300  is in the releasably detached position, it is well suited for adding or removing a key to the key ring  300 . A key can be added or removed by separating the outer segment  330  from the inner segment  340  a sufficient distance to allow a key to pass therebetween.  FIG. 3D  depicts the outer segment  330  and the inner segment  340  being coupled together again after a key has been added to the key ring  300 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 2A , and as a practical matter, the key ring  200  must be designed so as to resist excessive strain due to the hoop stress of tensile radial forces exerted along both the latitudinal x-axis  260  and the longitudinal y-axis  265 . As those of skill in the art will recognize, a radial force applied along the x-axis  260  will force the inner  240  and outer  230  segments of the key ring  200  to become detached from one another. This will result in the loss of keys, which is an undesirable result for the key ring  200 . Similarly, a longitudinal force could have the same effect. 
         [0029]    In order to increase the key ring&#39;s  200  radial strength, embodiments herein have been designed so as to take advantage of the physics that follow from the geometry forming relative heights and angles of protrusions  332 ,  342  and slots  334 ,  344 .  FIG. 2B  shows a plan view of a cross section of key ring  200 . The cross section includes slit  220 , which is the cut line though the body of the key ring  200  that creates an outer segment  230  and an inner segment  240 . The outer segment  230  has protrusion  232 , while the inner segment has protrusion  242 . When the outer segment  230  is coupled to the inner segment  240 , as shown in  FIG. 2B , the protrusions  232 ,  242  fit securely within receiving slots in their complimentary contoured counterpart. This coupling is shown as diagonal lines within  FIG. 2B . 
         [0030]    If there is insufficient hoop-strength integrity in the design of the key ring  200 , the outer segment  230  will separate from the inner segment  240  along the x-axis  260 . This could result in a large enough gap between the outer segment  230  and the inner segment  240  that a key(s) could accidentally slip off of the key ring  200 . It could also result in the hoop stress exceeding the elastic deformation limit and thus permanently deforming the key ring  200  which would be undesirable and potentially render it unusable. When latitudinal radial force  250  is applied to the key ring  200 , an outer edge  243  of the protrusion  242  transfers approximately half of force  250  through the split side and half of force  250  through the proximal side. Thus, effectively reducing the hoop stress by 50% and resulting in a greater magnitude of force  250  that can be sustained by key ring  200 . This transfer will occur so long as the relative angle between the x-axis  260  and the outer edge  243 , using the axes depicted, ranges from about 60-degrees to about 90-degrees. The lower range is dependent on the coefficient of friction for the material and surface roughness of key ring  200 . The upper range of the relative angle could be beyond 90 degrees, in essence forming a “hook”, but without any significant functional advantage. 
         [0031]    Longitudinal forces are accounted for by virtue of the coupling between the protrusions  332 ,  342  and slots  334 ,  344 . The complimentary contouring of the inner  340  and outer  330  segments of the key ring  300  diminish longitudinal forces, using a similar behavior as previously described for the latitudinal forces, thereby keeping keys securely in place. 
         [0032]    In embodiments, the arc angle of the split can vary within a range of between 5-degrees and 355-degrees.  FIG. 3A  depicts an arc angle  315  that is approximately 90-degrees. The size of the arc angle  315  depends upon the arc length of the split  320  line cut through the body of the key ring  300 .  FIGS. 4-6  depict alternate embodiments having varying arc angles and various arc length split lines. 
         [0033]    In terms of substantial circularity, key rings  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600  are depicted as circular. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the key rings  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600  could be substantially circular, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, or polygonal.  FIG. 7A  shows an alternative key ring  700  with a twisted portion  770  integral to the planar, looped body  710 .  FIG. 7B  shows how this embodiment could be formed from an S-shaped member having an outer segment  730  with protrusions  732 ,  733  and slots  734 ,  735  and an inner segment  740  having protrusions  742 ,  743  and slots  744 ,  745 . The S-shaped member could be formed into key ring  770  by heating and twisting the body so that it changes its shape to be looped, and in some embodiments, substantially circular as depicted in  FIG. 7A . In alternate embodiments, the shape could of key ring  700  could be oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, or polygonal. In yet alternate embodiments, the key ring  700  could be formed by stamping; pressing the S-shaped member could create the twist  770  in the body of the key ring  700 . 
         [0034]    In certain embodiments, the flat, planar looped key ring embodiments could range in outer diameter from approximately 0.25 inches to 2.5 inches. Additionally, key ring embodiments could range in band width, defined as the difference between the outer and inner radii, from approximately 0.05 inches to 0.25 inches. The inner diameter is perhaps best expressed as a percentage of the outer diameter, and in such case could range from approximately 50% to 95%. Additionally, key ring embodiments could range in thickness from approximately 0.01 inches to 0.25 inches. The thickness is perhaps best expressed as a percentage of the key ring band width, determined as the difference in the outer and the inner radii, and in such case could range from 20% to 100%. The preferred embodiment has an outer diameter of between approximately 1.25 inches and 1.5 inches. Additionally, the preferred embodiment has an inner diameter of approximately 80% of the outer diameter and a thickness roughly 30% of the band width. 
         [0035]    In certain embodiments, the flat, planar, looped key ring embodiments could be made of metal (for example and without limitation, stainless steel, ferromagnetic steel, other purpose steels, gold, silver, copper, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, or zinc), wood, plastic, silicone, plastic, ceramic, carbon fiber, or rubber. Some of these materials could in additional embodiments be subjected to treatment, such as hardening to further strengthen the compact key ring body. For example, certain forms of both stainless and general purpose steel can be heat treated by heating the metal in a furnace to the critical temperature to change the molecular structure and then quenching to quickly cool the material and retain the modified molecular structure. In these embodiments, it is desirable to temper the metal at a lower temperature in a furnace shortly after quenching to restore a certain amount of toughness and reduce the brittleness of the material. 
         [0036]    In alternate embodiments, the metal can be “cold” worked, such as cold rolling sheet metal, to impart internal stress into the bulk of the material, which acts similarly to heat treatment in modifying the physical properties of the material. Proper selection of material is important so that the key ring can be used for the intended functions without sustaining plastic deformation, as is the case when the applied stress exceeds the yield strength of the material. Hardening the metal, such as with the techniques described above, can help by increasing the yield strength of the material. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the application of fine processes, such as laser cutting, allow for the present invention to achieve the desired balance between maximizing product strength and minimizing key ring split line thickness. In alternate embodiments, the cutting tool could be an electrical discharge machining (EDM), electro-chemical erosion, water jet cutting, or similar techniques known to those skilled in the art. In an alternate embodiment, the key ring could be created by using a blanking or even fine blanking stamping die to punch parts out of the sheet metal. In these embodiments, and others that are similar and known to those of skill in the art, the application of fine processes allows for precision edges, shapes, sizes, contours, and notches to be created thereby facilitating the operational and structural capabilities of the key ring features discussed herein. 
         [0038]    Accordingly, in a method embodiment of the present invention, the method is comprised of forming a substantially flat, planar key ring comprising cutting or stamping a single planar member wherein the member looped and is shaped as substantially circular, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, S-shaped, or polygonal; and creating a split in the member wherein the split forms an outer segment and an inner segment within the planar body, the outer and inner segments further comprising complimentary contouring suited for coupling the outer segment to the inner segment and releasably detaching the outer segment from the inner segment. 
         [0039]    The articles “a” and “an” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to include the plural referents. Claims or descriptions that include “or” between one or more members of a group are considered satisfied if one, more than one, or all of the group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process unless indicated to the contrary or otherwise evident from the context. 
         [0040]    The invention includes embodiments in which exactly one member of the group is present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process. The invention also includes embodiments in which more than one or the entire group of members is present in, employed in or otherwise relevant to a given product or process. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention encompasses all variations, combinations, and permutations in which one or more limitations, elements, clauses, descriptive terms, etc., from one or more of the listed claims is introduced into another claim dependent on the same base claim (or, as relevant, any other claim) unless otherwise indicated or unless it would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that a contradiction or inconsistency would arise. 
         [0041]    Where elements are presented as lists, (e.g., in Markush group or similar format) it is to be understood that each subgroup of the elements is also disclosed, and any element(s) can be removed from the group. It should be understood that, in general, where the invention, or aspects of the invention, is/are referred to as comprising particular elements, features, etc., certain embodiments of the invention or aspects of the invention consist, or consist essentially of, such elements, features, etc. For purposes of simplicity those embodiments have not in every case been specifically set forth in so many words herein. It should also be understood that any embodiment or aspect of the invention can be explicitly excluded from the claims, regardless of whether the specific exclusion is recited in the specification. The entire contents of all of the references (including literature references, issued patents and published patent applications and websites) cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
         [0042]    Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details of the structure may vary substantially without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and exclusive use of all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. Within this specification, embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated, that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without departing from the invention. It is intended that the present invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.