IMPROVEMENTS IN KEY RINGS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Morgan, Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright
Association, Limited, 21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KEY RINGS."
A com-
munication from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York, United States of
America.
ealed the 14th May 1878, and dated the 17th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Morgan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th November 1877.
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN KEY RINGS." (A communication from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York,
United States of America.)
My improvements in key rings consist of an outwardly projecting elongation,
bend, or loop of one side or part of the ring, forming a contracted shape in which
the ring of the key can be held better when using-it in the lock than it can be
on the ordinary round key rings, the form of which prevents the thumb and finger
from closing on the key as conveniently as is desirable for turning it, particularly
a key of small size. And the joint for opening the ring to apply and remove the
keys is arranged in the larger part of the ring, and preferably in an inward bend in
the same in such manner as to open by pressing the opposite sides of the ring
together, and to be closed by the expansive or outward spring of the ring, which
simplifies the construction and dispenses with a special fastening, also preventing
the ring from being damaged by being opened too wide.
To secure the two ends against disconnecting by lateral movement I make a
tongue on one part and a notch or groove on the other, or a pin in one and a hole
in the other.
Besides dispensing with a special fastening device, this form of joint is of such
character that it can be made in the most simple and cheap way by stamping in
dise

page_text: This form of ring has the advantage of affording a given capacity for keys with
less breadth of cross section than the ordinary form, and it also permits of arranging
to better advantage than the round form does the opening for attaching and
detaching the keys in the straight or inwardly bent portion opposite the elongation,
and in such manner that the opening is effected by pressing or contracting the ring
inwardly, which is preferable to opening outwardly.
Important points in this Invention are,-
1st. A key ring having a contracted outwardly projecting bend or loop adapted
to receive the ring of the key when working the lock, either with or without an
inward bend opposite thereto, in which the opening for attaching and detaching the
keys is made.
2nd. A key ring having the opening joint in a straight or inward bend, said
joint being lapped or shaped so as to open by pressing the opposite sides of the ring
towards each other, and to prevent spreading the ring open.
SPECIFICATION. in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Morgan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th May
1878.
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN KEY RINGS." (A communication from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York,
United States of America.)
My improvements in key rings consist of an outwardly projecting elongation,
bend, or loop of one side or part of the ring, forming a contracted shape in which
the ring of the key can be held better, when using it in the lock, than it can be
on the ordinary round key rings, the form of which prevents the thumb and finger
from losing on the key as conveniently as is desirable for turning it, particularly
a key of small size. And the joint for opening the ring, to apply and remove the
keys, is arranged in the larger part of the ring (and preferably in an inward bend
in the same) in such manner as. to open by pressing the ring together, and to
close by the expansive or outward spring of the ring, which simplifies the con-
struction and dispenses with a special fastening, and it also prevents the ring from
being damaged by being opened too wide.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a view of my improved key ring in closed position.
Fig. 2, view of the ring in open position.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view with a key in the ring.
And Fig. 4 represents a modified form of the ring.
Instead of the usual circular form I purpose to make an approximately round
ring A, with an outward bend or loop B in one side to form an elongated con-
traction, as shewn, in which to adjust the key C, while holding it between the
"

page_text: thumb and finger for working the lock, by which it is manifest that the key can
be gripped much better than when strung on the ordinary circular ring, the form
of which materially obstructs the gripping of the ring of the key by the thumb and
finger. And I make the opening for applying and removing the keys in the large
side, and preferably in an inward bend D of the ring, and construct a lap of the
ends, whereby they open by pressing the opposite sides of the ring together towards
each other, and they lock together by the outward spring of the ring not only for
keeping the keys but also so as to prevent the opening of the ring unduly and the
dainage consequent thereto. The ring is also more convenient to manipulate by
this contrivance, and it dispenses with the necessity of a special fastening device.
To secure the two ends against disconnection by lateral movement I make a
tongue E on one part and a notch or groove F in the other, or a pin in one and a
hole in the other, as in Fig. 4.
Besides dispensing with a special fastening device, this form of joint is of such
character that it can be made in the most simple and cheap way by stamping in
dies.
This form of ring has the advantage of affording a given capacity for keys with
less breadth of cross section than the ordinary form, and it also permits of arranging
to better advantage (than the round form does) the opening for attaching and
detaching the keys in the straight or inwardly bent portion opposite the elongation,
and in such manner that the opening is effected by pressing or contracting the
ring inwardly, which is preferable to opening outwardly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim,-
1st. A key ring having a contracted outwardly projecting bend or loop B, adapted
to receive the ring of the key when working the lock, either with or without an
inward bend opposite thereto in which the opening for attaching and detaching the
keys is made.
2nd. A key ring having the opening joint in the straight or inward bend D, said
joint being lapped or shaped so as to open by pressing opposite sides of the ring
towards each other, and prevent spreading the ring open.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Morgan, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
W. HILLIER,
Clerk to Inventors' Patentright Assn. Ld.,
21, Cockspur St.,
London,
S.W.
THOS. MORGAN. (L.S.)