Patent Publication Number: US-2018049519-A1

Title: Key Ring

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Provisional Patent Application No. 62/370,305 
     Filing Date: 3 Aug. 2016 
     EFS ID: 26531948 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a key ring and more particularly to a key ring formed from a single piece of spring wire with a special portion in one of the overlying loops which permits easy manipulation by one&#39;s fingers to separate the loops for adding or removing of keys to the key ring. 
     The most common design of key rings consists of overlying loops of uniform spring wire which requires prying by a strong fingernail or with a small object to separate the loops to allow for adding or removing of a key. Other key ring designs are fashioned with multi-part clasps or hinged mechanism which increase the cost of manufacturing and are more susceptible to breakage. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a key ring design which is simple and easy to manufacture yet allow for a quick and easy way to separate the overlying loops to add or remove keys. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein is a key ring formed from a continuous piece of spring wire. The wire is formed to overlying loops with biased force such that both ends of the loops are pressed again the loops to prevent the key ring from accidentally open to permit the loss of a key. A special portion near the end of one loop is formed especially so its edge is slightly offset from the edge of the overlying loop. This offset allows for easy separation of the end of one loop without being hindered by the other loop. 
     For purpose of the present invention the key ring may be circular or in various other non-circular shapes such as ovals, ellipses, rectangles, triangles and the like. The shape of the cross section of the spring wire is preferred to be rectangular whereas the long side of the rectangular section is lying in the radial direction of the key ring. In such case the spring wire is very strong in the radial direction yet allows easier separation of the loops. The preferred rectangular cross section also affords a sharper edge allowing the user to easily grasp the offset area to separate the loops. Other cross sectional areas such as round, square, half circle and the like will also work. 
     In a preferred embodiment the special offset portion is protruded radially from the overlying loops. This protruding portion is big enough to allow easy grasping by a finger, yet small enough to allow for the hole in a key to pass through all the overlying wire of all the loops at once. 
     In yet another embodiment the special offset portion is extended in the axial direction allowing a small gap between the loops within this special portion. This gap allows a user to use a finger to grasp one loop and separate its end from the rest of the key ring. 
     In yet another embodiment the special offset portion is reduction in the cross sectional area of one loop near the end of the overlying loop. This reduction portion exposes the overlying loop and allow for grasping for separation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the key ring of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the key ring of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the key ring of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the key ring of the invention in another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the key ring of the invention in yet another embodiment; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  show a key ring  10  representing a preferred embodiment of the invention. Key ring  10  is formed from a single piece of spring wire  11  to overlying loops. Spring wire  11  is formed in such a way that it requires a force to separate its end from the main loop. A small portion  12  near end  13  of spring wire  11  is formed such that it at least partially protrudes beyond the underlying loop in the radial direction. This protruding portion  12  allows a user to use a finger to lift end  13 , separating it temporarily from the underlying loop so a key can be inserted or removed from key ring  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a key ring in another embodiment of the invention. Key ring  20  is formed from a single piece of spring wire  21  to overlying loops. Spring wire  21  has a small cutout  22  in its body. This cutout  22  is positioned to partially expose one end of spring wire  21  and allow a user to use a finger to lift this end to insert or remove a key from key ring  20 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a key ring in yet another embodiment of the invention. Key ring  30  is formed from a single piece of spring wire  31  to overlying loops. A small portion  32  near one end of spring wire  31  is bent so that it is spaced apart from the underlying loop. This space allows a user to grasp portion  32  and separate it from the underlying loop to insert or remove a key. 
     While specific examples of the invention are described in detail above to facilitate explanation of various aspects of the invention, it should be understood that the intention is not to limit the invention to the specifics of the example. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalent, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.