Key holding structure using elastic member

The key storage section with an elastic member and rod-shaped fastener addresses ease of access and detachment issues, ensuring a slim, secure, and visually appealing design for keys in wallets and similar cases.

JP3252822UActive Publication Date: 2025-09-11服部 良亮
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025002361U
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Utility models
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-07-15
Publication Date
2025-09-11
Estimated Expiration
2035-07-15

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional key storage structures in small cases like wallets are limited in ease of access, attachment, detachment, thinness, and convenience, making it difficult to integrate keys and wallets into a compact design while maintaining usability and aesthetics.

Method used

A key storage section within the main case uses an elastic member fixed by a rod-shaped fastener, allowing direct access and easy attachment/detachment of keys without tools, with optional key gripper leather and leather lining for aesthetic and structural integrity, and reinforced holes for durability.

Benefits of technology

The solution provides smooth transition from stored to used state, enhancing portability, operability, and safety, while maintaining a slim design and reducing noise, suitable for various storage devices.

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Abstract

To provide a key holding structure which does not require much time and effort to take out a key, is structurally thin, has excellent portability, does not generate metallic noise, has a beautiful appearance, eliminates psychological anxiety about the key popping out or dropping, can be integrated with a main body case such as a wallet, and is thin and can safely hold a key. [Solution] The key holding structure of this invention holds a key 2 in a main case 1 using an elastic member 3 and a fastener 4, and the key moves to the use position by rotating it. The elastic member is provided with appropriate tension, and the key is attached to the fastener, which can be attached and detached without tools, via a through hole. The key retainer leather 5 also ensures safe retention in the stored state, and the structure utilizes gussets and other features to be efficiently and integrally housed within the thickness of the main case without compromising its aesthetic appearance. This allows for simplified opening and closing operations, a slim structure, quiet operation, and a beautiful appearance.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a key holding structure for holding keys in a wallet or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been limited structures for storing keys in small cases such as wallets, making it difficult to integrate the wallet and keys into a compact case while maintaining the convenience of both. Many conventional key storage devices secure the keys with metal rings or chains, but there are limitations in terms of ease of opening and closing, attachment and detachment, thinness, and convenience. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The objective of this invention is to provide a wallet with a separate key storage section that allows direct access to the keys from the outside, making it easier to insert and remove them, while also providing a structure that is slim, secure, and improves the overall visual quality for smooth key use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] To achieve the above objective, according to the invention described in claim 1, the key is held in a key storage section provided inside the main case via an elastic member, and the elastic member is fixed with a rod-shaped fastener, so that the key can be removed and used by rotating it from the outside.

[0005] The rod-shaped fastener is made of a durable material such as metal, and has a recess for fitting the elastic member and a through-hole for passing the key through. The fastener is designed with a cross-sectional dimension smaller than the keyholes commonly used in Japan, making it possible to easily attach and detach the key by hand without using a tool such as a screwdriver.

[0006] The key storage section is provided with a key gripper leather to prevent the key from accidentally popping out when stored. It is also possible to configure it without the key gripper leather, which makes it even easier to insert and remove the key, allowing for two different usage styles: with or without the key gripper leather depending on the user's purpose.

[0007] The elastic members are covered with leather lining, which maintains the beauty of the interior and improves the integrity of the structure. Holes are reinforced with grommets to prevent deterioration due to friction between the elastic members and the leather.

[0008] The elastic member is sewn in a position that ensures the key's rotation orbit and is designed not to interfere with the key's rotation. The elastic member is fixed so that it can always maintain a moderate tension and is sewn in using a method that makes it difficult to come off. Furthermore, the elastic member is covered with a leather lining, which maintains the aesthetic appearance and enhances the structural integrity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this device, the elastic member (3) and fastener (4) always hold the key (2) with a moderate tension, allowing for a smooth transition from the stored state to the used state. This eliminates the need for opening and closing the opening (1-b) using a zipper or hook, which was previously required, allowing for more intuitive and quick use of the key.

[0010] The key is designed to smoothly move to the use position by rotating it, improving portability and operability, and providing a comfortable feel. Also, the optional key holder (5) prevents unnecessary keys from being exposed when the key is stored, allowing for safe key storage. Furthermore, it also reduces psychological anxiety about dropping the key.

[0011] Furthermore, the fasteners allow the keys to be easily attached and detached without the need for tools, allowing users to rearrange the keys to suit a variety of situations. In addition, by bundling multiple keys with an elastic member, the sound of metal contact is suppressed, making the lock quieter.

[0012] The key storage section utilizes the thickness of the main case and the space in the gusseted sections on the sides, making effective use of the internal space while achieving a slim overall design. This allows for both storage capacity and functionality without compromising the aesthetics of the exterior.

[0013] This structure can be widely applied to various small storage devices such as wallets, key cases, card cases, and mobile phone cases, and will not only provide a key holding function that is easy to carry and operate, but will also contribute to the development of products that combine design and practicality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a key holding structure according to the present invention.

[0015] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of the key storage section in FIG. 1, together with an enlarged view of the structure.

[0016] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the key storage section, along with an enlarged view showing the detailed structure of the fastener.

[0017] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows how the key is turned to transition from the stored state to the used state, and is a plan view showing the turning of the key. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the main case (1) has a structure applicable to wallets, card cases, etc., and includes a key storage section (1-a) and an opening (1-b) inside. A key (2) is held by a fastener (4) through an elastic member (3), and the elastic member (3) is fixed to the main case with a stitching (8) taking into consideration the key rotation path (9). When the key is stored, a key retainer leather (5) covers the top, preventing unnecessary exposure of the key while stored. The elastic member (3) is also covered with a lining leather (7) as an interior lining, and the through-holes are reinforced with grommets (6). [Example]

[0019] The fastener (4) is formed in a rod shape and has a recessed portion (4-a) into which the elastic member (3) fits, and a through-hole portion (4-b) through which the through-hole of the key (2) passes. The elastic member (3) is passed through the through-hole portion (4-b) and then fitted into the recessed portion (4-a), thereby being fixed integrally to the fastener (4). This makes the elastic member (3) less likely to fall out, and allows for a thinner design while stably maintaining tension. The key storage section (1-a) is preferably located in the side gusset, taking advantage of the thickness of the main case (1), but with some structural ingenuity it can also be installed on a flat exterior surface or part of the interior, allowing for flexible configurations to suit product designs and uses. [Industrial Applicability]

[0020] The key holder structure of the present invention can be applied to a variety of portable storage devices such as wallets, key cases, card cases, and smartphone cases, thereby expanding the functionality and improving usability of the storage devices.

[0021] By realizing a structure that allows keys to be rotated and removed with a single action while still stored, which was difficult with conventional key storage methods, the product offers an excellent user experience in terms of operability, portability, safety, quietness, and aesthetics, making it particularly suitable for minimalist product designs and gift items. Furthermore, the structural design, which does not make an impression on the exterior, achieves both aesthetics and functionality, making it a highly refined storage device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0022] 1. Main body case (wallet, etc.) 1-a Key storage section 1-b Openings (zippers, etc.) 2 keys 3 Elastic material (rubber cord, etc.) 4 Fastener (rod-shaped) 4-a Recessed part (groove part) 4-b Through hole 5 Key holder leather 6 Eyelets 7 Leather lining 8 Sewn part of elastic member 9 Key rotation trajectory

Claims

1. A key holding structure for storing, holding, and using keys, characterized in that it comprises a key storage section provided within the main case of a wallet or the like, an elastic member, a configuration in which the elastic member is passed through the key's through-hole and secured with a rod-shaped fastener to hold the key, and a retaining section (key retaining leather) that prevents the key from protruding outward when stored, and the elastic member is positioned in a state in which it is held under tension by a part of the main case, and the key can be moved to a use position by rotating it.

2. 2. The key holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped fastener is made of a durable material such as metal, has a recess for fitting the elastic member therein, and has a through-hole for passing the key through the through-hole, and the fastener is designed with a cross-sectional dimension smaller than the through-holes of keys commonly used in Japan, allowing the key to be attached and detached without the use of a tool such as a screwdriver.

3. 3. A key holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the main case is a storage device such as a wallet, and the key storage section is formed by utilizing a gusset section (side fold structure) or a similar space section provided on the side of the main case.