Abstract:
A system for a novel key ring device for holding an associated consumer product is disclosed. The device includes a hollow casing configured to enclose at least part of a consumer product, a movable latch member, including a key retaining portion which is configured to cooperate with the hollow casing to hold an associated key ring, a biasing member connected to the hollow casing and movable latch member and an interacting mechanism configured to interact with the associated consumer product. Furthermore, the device may include a biasing member that has a first and second length, such as a spring, whereas the biasing member would, in its first position, contribute to the contact of the movable latch member and hollow casing creating an enclosure for an associated ring to be securely held. Furthermore, the biasing member may also have a second length where when the biasing member is in this second length, the key retaining portion of the latch is not in direct contact with the hollow casing, allowing for the key ring to not be enclosed in the key ring device. The system may also include it being configured to hold an associated lighter, an associated flashlight, an associated spray product, an associated writing product, or any other suitable consumer product.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/826,984 filed Sep. 26, 2006, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The following disclosure relates to a device that attaches to a key ring. More specifically, a key ring device that includes a housing, or casing, that holds small consumer products such as a flashlight or cosmetic products, a writing instrument and/or a lighter, etc. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many people carry key rings to hold keys to their automobiles, houses, office, gym lockers, etc. Because these individuals feel the need to secure their items, it is often desirable to have a key ring which holds all the keys that that individual may commonly use. 
         [0004]    There are often times when an individual may want to use consumer products. Although the individual may routinely carry these consumer products, they often may be bulky or it is possible that the individual may forget to bring the consumer product with him when he leaves his home and/or office. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a key chain device and two conventional keys connected to the key chain device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the key chain device with a key retaining member in the open position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the key chain device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the key chain device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the key chain device with portions cut away. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the key chain device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the key chain device with an enclosed writing utensil. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of the key chain device with the enclosed writing utensil. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of the key chain device with an enclosed lighter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a side sectional view of the key chain device with the enclosed lighter. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a front sectional view of the key chain device with an enclosed flashlight. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a side sectional view of the key chain device with the enclosed flashlight. 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a front sectional view of the key chain device with an enclosed fluid dispenser. 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a side sectional view of the key chain device with the enclosed fluid dispenser. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The drawings are for the purposes of illustrating representative embodiments of a device for holding a small consumer product. The drawings are not intended to limit the invention. With reference to  FIG. 1 , a key ring device  50  capable of housing a relatively small, i.e. pocket-sized, consumer product, such as lotion, mouthwash, cologne, a lighter, a flashlight, a pen, a pencil, etc. is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the key ring device  50  includes a hollow casing  52 , a key retaining member  54  and an interacting mechanism  56 . The device  50 , and more particularly the casing  52 , is generally key-shaped having a wider section  58 , similar to the bow of a conventional key (see bow in  FIG. 1 ) and a narrower section  62 , similar to a blade of a conventional key (see blade in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0021]    The key retaining member  54  is movable with respect to the casing  52 . In the depicted embodiment, the key retaining member  54  is movable in a direction generally defined by arrow  64  in  FIG. 2 . The key retaining member  54  includes a U-shaped key retaining portion  70 , a first narrowed casing engaging section  72  that extends from an end of the key retaining portion and a second narrowed casing engaging section  74  that extends from an opposite end of the U-shaped key retaining portion. The first section  72  is square in a cross section taken generally normal to the direction of the arrow  64 . The second section  74  is generally circular in a cross section taken in an axis parallel to the direction of arrow  64 . 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , an opening  76  is provided in the first narrowed casing engaging section  72  to receive a biasing member  80 , which will be described in mare detail below. Comparing  FIGS. 3 and 4  to  FIG. 5 , to remove a key ring from the key ring device  50 , the key retaining member  54  is displaced upwardly in the direction of arrow  62  ( FIG. 5 ). This results in a space between an end of the second casing engaging section  74  of the key retaining member  54  and the casing  52  such that the ring can be removed from the device  50 . Removal of a force in the direction of arrow  62  results in the biasing member  80 , which in the depicted embodiment is a spring, urging the key retaining member  54  towards the casing  52 . Where the first section  72  of the key retaining member  54  extends from the key retaining portion  70  a first ledge  82  is defined to limit further movement of the key retaining member  54  toward the casing  52 . Similarly, where the second section  74  extends from the U-shaped key retaining portion  70  a second ledge  84  is defined that also limits movement of the key retaining member  54  in a direction opposite the directional arrow  62  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0023]    The hollow casing  52  is configured to accommodate a number of different consumer products. The hollow casing includes a first section  90  that secure to a second section  92 . In the depicted embodiment, once a consumer product is disposed in the hollow casing  52 , the first casing  90  is permanently attached to the second casing  92  via an adhesive or other similar securing method. Alternatively, the first section and the second section  92  can attach to one another such that they can be selectively removed from one another without damaging the hollow casing  52 , for example using a latch. As most clearly seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the hollow casing  52  includes a first opening  94  that is configured to receive the first narrowed casing engaging section  72  of the key retaining member  54  and a spring  80 . The first opening  94  is square-shaped in cross section ( FIG. 6 ) to receive the first section  72  of the key retaining member  54 . If the first section  72  were to take another configuration, for example, circular, the configuration of the first opening  94  of the casing  52  may change to complement the configuration of the first casing engaging section  72 . The depth of the first opening  94  is long enough to accommodate the stroke of the key retaining member to provide an opening so that a key ring can be removed from the key retaining member as depicted in  FIG. 5 . In the depicted embodiment, the depth of the first opening  94  is substantially equal to the depth, i.e. the vertical dimension as depicted in  FIG. 5 , of the wider section  58  of the hollow casing  52 . 
         [0024]    The hollow casing  52  also defines a second opening  96  that is configured to receive the second casing engaging section  74  of the key retaining member  54 . As more clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , the second opening  96  is circular in configuration to complement the configuration of the second casing engaging section  74  of the key retaining member  54 . The orientation of either can change if desired. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the hollow casing  52  defines a first internal housing area  100  generally disposed within the wider section  58  of the hollow casing  52  and a second internal housing area  102  generally disposed in the narrower section  62  of the hollow casing  52 . The first internal housing area is typically where the consumer product that is to be housed in the casing  52  is engaged. In other words, it is in the first internal housing area  100  where the activation of the consumer product is taking place. Examples of this will be described in more detail below. The second internal housing area  102  generally houses a portion of the consumer product which will be described in more detail below. An opening  104  is provided at a distal end of the narrower section  62  of the hallow casing  52 . The opening  104  leads to the second internal housing area  102  and is the opening through which a consumer product extends and/or is dispensed. 
         [0026]    The hollow casing  52  also includes an outer recess  106 , which in the depicted embodiment is formed in the first section  90 . The outer recess  106  receives the interacting mechanism  56  such that an outer surface  108  of the interacting mechanism  56  is recessed with respect to an outer surface  110  of the first section  90  (see  FIG. 6 ). Such a configuration inhibits accidental actuation of the consumer product that is disposed in a hollow casing  52 . 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , the forming of the outer recess  106  in the front section  90  results in an indentation  112  that extends into the first internal housing area  100   a  defined by the first section  90 . A slot  114  is formed in the indentation  112 . The slot  114  receives a portion of the interacting mechanism  56  in a manner that will be described in more detail below. The first housing section  90  also defines a portion of the first opening  94   a,  a portion of the second opening  96   a,  a portion of the second internal housing area  102   a  and a portion of the product dispensing opening  404   a.  Similarly, the second housing section  92  defines a portion of the first opening  94   b,  the second opening  96   b,  the first internal housing area  100   b,  the second internal housing area  102   b,  and the product dispensing opening  104   b.  When the first housing section  90  attaches to the second housing section  92 , the above described openings and housing areas are formed. 
         [0028]    A pin  116  is disposed in the second housing section  92  and extends towards the first housing section  90  when the two sections are attached to one another. The pin  116  is received in an opening  118  that is formed in the first housing section  90 . If desired, the pin can be located in the first housing section  90  and the opening can be located in the second housing section  92 . The spring  80  attaches to the pin  116 , which is disposed at a lower end of the first opening  94 , such that the spring  80  can bias the key retaining member  54  towards the hollow casing  52 . 
         [0029]    With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , the interacting mechanism  56  includes a generally square-shaped user contact area  130  and an extension  132  that extends normally from the user contact area  130 . Barbs  134  are located on the extension  132 . The barbs  134  are sloped to facilitate insertion of the extension  132  into the vertical slot  114  while inhibiting removal of the interacting mechanism  56  from the casing  52  once the extension  132  has been fully inserted into the vertical slot  114 . Accordingly, an end of the barb  134  that is generally parallel with the rear surface (per the orientation of  FIG. 7 ) of the user contact area  130  is spaced from the user contact area such that the interacting mechanism  56  can move freely along the greatest dimension of the vertical slot ′ 114 . 
         [0030]    Now referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the key ring device  50  houses a consumer product, which in this example is a writing utensil A. Examples of writing utensils not only include a pen and a pencil, but also include an eye liner dispenser and a lip stick dispenser. In this example, the engaging mechanism  56  is configured to operate a button B to release the tip of the writing utensil A through the lower opening  104  of the casing  52 . In which case, when the engaging mechanism  56  is pushed downwardly towards the narrower section  62  of the casing  52 , the writing utensil is released for use. Furthermore, when the engaging mechanism  56  is pressed once again, the consumer product, which again in this example is a writing utensil, is stored inside of the key ring device  50 . 
         [0031]    In another example, the associated consumer product is a lighter C, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Once again, the engaging mechanism  56  is pushed downwardly towards the narrower section  62  of the hollow casing  52  to operate a button D of the lighter C. 
         [0032]    It should be noted that in the two previous examples, it may be desirable for the engaging mechanism to respond differently when pressed. For example, in  FIGS. 8 and 9  when the consumer product is a writing utensil A, the engaging mechanism  56  may include and/or cooperate with a click and hold feature which is known in the art and is commonly used in ball point pens. In this example, the engaging mechanism  56  would hold the tip of the writing utensil A in an extended position as in  FIG. 8  when pressed once, and when pressed again, the tip would be in a retracted position, in which case the writing utensil would be stored. 
         [0033]    With regard to the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the engaging mechanism  56  may be biased towards the key retaining member  54 . If this were the case, when a user releases the engaging mechanism  56 , the engaging mechanism would automatically retract upwardly towards the key retaining member  54 , thereby extinguishing the flame. In other words, when the engaging mechanism  54  is not pressed downwardly the flame is not ignited. When the engaging mechanism  54  is pressed and held, the flame is ignited only as long as the engaging is held in place. 
         [0034]    Moving on to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the consumer product shown here is a flashlight. In this instance, when the engaging mechanism  56  is pressed downwardly, the result would be that the consumer product, which in this embodiment includes a light source F, would turn to an “on” or an “off” position. The light source F is in electrical communication with a battery G through a switch H. The switch H selectively opens and closes a circuit that includes battery contacts I and wires J. When the engaging mechanism  56  is pressed downwardly the engaging mechanism contacts a button K to operate the switch H. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the consumer product in this example is a fluid dispenser N. Examples of fluids  0  that can be dispensed include, but are not limited to, perfume, cologne, mouth spray, mouth wash, bug spray, hand sanitizer, etc. In this embodiment, the fluid  0  may be under pressure in a fluid chamber PI in which case when the engaging mechanism  56  is pressed downwardly, it contacts a button Q that allows communication between the fluid chamber P and a fluid line R to release the fluid  0 . Alternatively, the button Q can operate a small pump to deliver the fluid  0  to the fluid line R. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 through 15 , it should be appreciated that other suitable consumer products and/or arrangements, can alternately or additionally be used in operative association with the key ring device  50 . The key ring device that has been described above can be viewed as an inexpensive integrated consumer product having a key-shaped outer housing, which attaches to a key ring and provides an attractive device that is similarly shaped to the keys that are attached to the key ring, and an inner portion that is a small consumer product. The casing  52  as described herein is suitable to enclose many different types of consumer products that require some sort of activation. Alternatively, other configurations concerning the engaging mechanism  56  may also be used. Moreover, the hollow casing  52  may take other configurations. These other configurations may more closely resemble a conventional key, e.g. the narrower section may be more flattened to more closely simulate the bow of a conventional key. These other configurations may also depart from the configuration associated with a conventional key. As such, if should be understood that modifications may be implemented and still remain with the spirit of the claims. 
         [0037]    While considerable emphasis has been placed on structures and structural interrelationships between component parts of the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the principles of the novel concepts of the disclosed embodiment. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted, merely as illustrative of the novel concepts, and not as a limitation. As such, it is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.