Key holder without a screw connection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key holder (1), the holder housing (2) of which can simultaneously accommodate multiple keys (10, 11). By being pressed against a crosspiece (8), these keys (10, 11) are secured in the housing (2) by their key shafts (13) via a fixing rod (25) that is guided in longitudinal slots (23, 24). If one of the keys (10, 11) needs to be pivoted from the rest position into the working position, the fixing rod (25) only needs to be moved to the other end of the longitudinal slots (23, 24) so that the key shaft (13) can then be pivoted freely out of the "securing chamber". Since the fork (30) holding the clamping pin (21) and the keys (10, 11) always exerts the same clamping force, it is always easy to pivot the keys (10, 11) out of and insert them into the securing chamber of the key holder (1) or the holder housing (2).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Key holder without screw connection

[0003] The invention relates to a key holder with a holder housing, the overall length of which exceeds that of the keys stored therein and which is designed to accommodate one or more keys with a profiled key shaft and a key head having one or more fastening holes, wherein the holder housing has side walls between which a long holder is mounted which penetrates the fastening holes of the keys and wherein, especially when the keys are not fully loaded, displaceable spacer discs are provided between several key heads on the long holder.

[0004] Such keys assigned to a key holder are usually made of metal and are used to lock and unlock front doors, lockers, and the like. They have an individually designed key shaft and key head, which in Germany is usually 2.8 mm thick. These keys have holes in the key head through which they can be connected, for example, to a key ring. If several keys are then attached to the key ring, they form a so-called key ring, which many people, especially men, carry in their trouser pockets. Such key rings are impractical and bulky, and can even ultimately damage clothing. For this reason, people have switched to, for example,two metal plates are connected to one another using long brackets, i.e. basically screws, and keys are placed between the plates and the heads of the long brackets, which can then be swung out so that the two plates form a kind of handle. If you look online, you can see that a single company alone offers a large number of such key holders. All of them have the two plates and the long brackets, i.e. the long screws onto which the keys are placed via their key heads. In order to arrange the keys securely between the plates during transport and to prevent them from accidentally swinging out, the screws must be tightened accordingly. Then, when individual keys are used, they can be loosened again so that the keys can be swung out of their transport position.The whole thing is very complex and also problematic because the screw connection is usually not optimal, which can ultimately lead to the arrangement of the key groups between the plates being lost and all the keys falling out of place.

[0005] DE 20 2020 000 271 U1 discloses a key holder which has only a plate-shaped carrier on which one or two keys can be arranged in such a way that they can be moved from a rest position, in which the key rests on the carrier, into a working position in which, as usual, the carrier and key together represent the "tool". The disadvantages here are that, firstly, only one or two keys can be used with such a carrier as a key holder and, secondly, the keys are fastened to the plate via a screw connection, which must be precisely adjusted in each case so that the key can be easily pivoted, but is also fixed to the plate in its rest position. This is complex and generally not satisfactory to produce. Several keys can be accommodated in the key holder according to DE 20 2017 000 023 U1.Here, too, two side walls are provided which are connected to one another by screws with screw heads. The keys are arranged and simultaneously stored on the shafts of the screws between the side walls. One of the two plates is also intended to have a threaded hole in which the screw can be turned, moving the two plates towards or against each other. Aside from the fact that such a key holder is quite complex, there is also the problem that the user's dexterity plays a major role in whether or not they have selected the correct screw setting. The attempt to prevent the connection between the two plates from coming loose by using a lock nut accepts the fact that this reduces the space between the plates so that the key holder can accommodate fewer keys.DE 10 2018 118 723 A1 discloses a key holder that requires two differently designed screwable parts for each key group. These two different screw connections are intended to prevent the key holder from opening accidentally or changing the tension between the two plates on the keys. However, the screw connections must be changed to move the keys into the working position, just as they are required when moving them into the rest position. Since this key holder is also designed to accommodate two key groups, the screw connections must be correspondingly complex at both longitudinal ends of the side walls.In summary, it can be stated that, given the state of the art, an easily adjustable screw connection is generally necessary to operate the key, although there is always the risk that the “fixing force” is incorrectly adjusted or remains incorrectly adjusted by the screw connection, resulting in problems such as the destruction or damage of a trouser pocket or similar.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a key holder in which an unintentional loosening or detaching of the assembled holder housing is excluded and in which an easy pivoting of the key from the rest to the working position and vice versa is always guaranteed.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention in that the side walls are detachably connected to one another at one longitudinal end via a clamping pin forming the long holder and are firmly connected to one another at the other longitudinal end via a housing head wall, wherein a longitudinal slot is formed in each of the two side walls in which a fixing rod is arranged displaceably in the longitudinal direction of the side walls, preventing the key shanks from swinging out or releasing them again on a crosspiece connecting the side walls in the middle.

[0008] A key holder designed in this way ensures that a group of keys is stored in a key holder in a way that is easy to transport and protects your pockets. At the same time, the individual keys can be easily moved into the working position as required, so that the holder housing then advantageously serves as a handle for operating the respective key. No screw connection is necessary or provided that must be actuated when pivoting the key. Rather, the clamping pin, which is clamped between the two longitudinal ends of the side walls, ensures that the individual keys always have the necessary freedom of movement when the easy-to-use and movable fixing rod has been moved lengthwise in the longitudinal slots of the side walls.In one position of the fixing rod, the fixing rod releases the keys, while in the other position the fixing rod ensures that the keys are held securely between the crossbar that connects the two side walls and the fixing rod in the key holder.

[0009] According to a practical embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal slots are formed so that they run close (preferably 1-2 mm) to the upper edge of the side walls, while the transverse web, which preferably has a width of 6-10 mm, connects the two lower edges. By assigning the fixing rod to the upper edge of the side walls and arranging the transverse web to the lower edge, space remains in which or over which the key shanks can be effectively secured by moving the fixing rod into the corresponding position in the longitudinal slots.

[0010] The clamping pin can be used as a clamping pin between the side walls in a simple and practical way by connecting the side walls via the connecting housing head wall and, above all, the crossbar, to form an expandable fork. The side walls and the housing head wall therefore form a single component, with the crossbar ensuring that a type of box is created in which the keys are stored. The box is open at the spring-loaded longitudinal ends of the side walls so that the clamping pin and keys are fixed in place or can be removed from the spring-loaded holder and replaced. This creates a relatively short, but secure and easy-to-operate fork, between which the clamping pin can be easily inserted or arranged, as explained further below.

[0011] This expandable fork can be conveniently and particularly effectively implemented by manufacturing the holder housing, including the side walls, the housing head wall, and the crosspiece, from a limitedly flexible or filled plastic. This plastic is combined to provide the free ends of the side walls with a spring force that causes the clamping pin to spring open on the one hand and spring back and lock in place on the other. This makes it possible to easily remove the clamping pin from its clamping position, fit it with new or different keys, and then reinsert it into its working position. Such plastics are well known and are used for various purposes, with the type of plastic or the filling ensuring limited flexibility.

[0012] The arrangement and release of the clamping pin is made easier or ensured by the fact that the clamping pin has a diameter that is larger than that of the receiving holes for the clamping pin in the side walls at the end of the fork, with its pin ends having a smaller diameter, less than that of the receiving holes. These pin ends make it possible to achieve secure mounting of the clamping pin not only via the spring force of the free ends of the side walls, but at the same time also to achieve the necessary insertion depth in the side walls. The sliding of the pin ends into the receiving holes in the free ends of the side walls is made easier according to the invention by the fact that the receiving holes for the clamping pin have a conical countersink on the inside or also on the outside of the side walls.At the same time, it is advantageous if these countersinks are also provided on the outside, because this makes it easier to influence the pin ends if they somehow get caught or jammed in the receiving bore.

[0013] Key holders are also often used to store more complex car keys. This is achieved by attaching key rings to one of the long ends of the side walls, into which the car key can then be inserted. Connecting the car key to the key holder is quite complex, but this is avoided according to the invention by the housing head wall having arched clamps protruding beyond its outer wall, the free ends of which are designed to leave a passage opening for key ring keys. This passage opening can be closed via a spring-loaded pivoting clamp. Thus, only the pivoting clamp needs to be operated to arrange the key ring, whereby the arrangement of the other keys in the key holder remains completely unaffected. This also makes exchanging car keys easier.

[0014] It was already pointed out above that the longitudinal slots, in which the fixing rod can be pushed back and forth, are arranged on the upper edge of the side walls. In order to be able to replace the fixing rod, which can be moved in these longitudinal slots, more easily, the invention provides that the longitudinal slots are formed on the upper edge of the side walls and extend from the crossbar to the housing head wall. This allows the ends of the fixing rod to be pushed into the longitudinal slots approximately centrally because the "thin" web formed by the upper edge of the side walls enables movement or the "opening" of the longitudinal slot. Moving the fixing rod in the longitudinal slots is made easier and, on the other hand, slipping out of the longitudinal slots is prevented by the fact that the fixing rod, which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the side walls in the longitudinal slots, has running grooves on both ends of the rod.The fixing rod cannot fall out of its position, but can always be actively pushed back and forth.

[0015] The grooves also have the advantage of facilitating back-and-forth sliding in the longitudinal slots. This is achieved by the grooves having a width that corresponds to the width of the guide rails formed inside the longitudinal slots. This limits the width of the grooves and ensures the stability of the fixing rod.

[0016] According to a practical embodiment of the invention, the guide rails are further provided with a retaining lug in front of each slot end, which is dimensioned and arranged to block the fixing rod in the respective end position. At the same time, this also predetermines the end position and prevents unintentional displacement of the fixing rod. The shape of these retaining lugs is not really important; it should simply be easy for the operator to recognize that the end position has been reached when moving the fixing rod.

[0017] It was pointed out earlier that the key shanks should be arranged between the side walls when stored in the key holder so that they do not move accidentally. According to the invention, an optimal position of the key shanks is ensured by the fixing rod having a flexible coating in the contact area with the key shanks. This ensures that even when the key shanks are arranged with their notches facing towards the fixing rod, the keys still fit securely even when positioned in the notches. A key holder of this type is also particularly suitable as a gift. Furthermore, it is repeatedly picked up and more or less automatically examined, so it is advantageous if it is also used for advertising.The invention achieves this by designing and marking the outer surfaces of the side walls to form an advertising area.

[0018] The advertising space on such a key holder can also be expanded by covering the area between the crossbar, the housing head wall and the two side walls with a rectangular plate, which also serves as an advertising space.

[0019] It was mentioned earlier that the longitudinal slots and the upper guide wall should have a certain degree of flexibility so that the fixing rod can be inserted without screwing or similar. This design can be advantageously utilized by sizing the longitudinal slots in the side walls to accommodate a shopping cart token and simultaneously secure the fixing rod.

[0020] The invention is characterized by the creation of a key holder that does not require any screw connections and yet provides a "container" that can be used optimally to hold keys, specifically an entire group of keys. The number of keys inserted can be varied and adapted to requirements by changing the length of the housing head wall and the clamping pin, and of course the same applies to the crossbar. As a rule, however, it is sufficient if one longitudinal end of the key holder with the clamping pin is dimensioned such that five or six keys can be arranged between them, with spacers provided to ensure even rotation of the key heads on the clamping pin.Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment with the necessary details and individual parts. They show:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a “closed” key holder in plan view, Figure 2 shows a key in side view with triangular fastening hole, Figure 3 shows a key with circular fastening hole, Figure 4 shows a spacer disc,

[0022] Figure 5 shows a key holder in an “open” view,

[0023] Figure 6 shows a key holder in side view,

[0024] Figure ? a clamping pin,

[0025] Figure 8 an empty key holder in bottom view with rectangular plate or shopping trolley chip,

[0026] Figure 9 Housing head wall with terminals,

[0027] Figure 10 mounting holes with countersink, Figure 11 empty key holder with longitudinal slot, Figure 11a rectangular plate (top view) and Figure 12 fixing rod with flexible coating.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a key holder 1, the holder housing 2 of which has two side walls 4, 5 which are firmly connected to one another at one longitudinal end 22 via a housing head wall 7, while at the other longitudinal end 20 a long holder 6 in the form of a clamping pin 21 is arranged. The side walls 4, 5 and the housing head wall 7 thus form a holder housing 2 in which a plurality of keys 10, 11 can be accommodated. Such keys 10, 11 are shown as individual pieces in Figures 2 and 3, the actual difference being only that different fastening bores 14 are provided, i.e. the bores via which the keys 10, 11 can be pushed onto the clamping pin 21 in order to then be accommodated in the "box" formed by the side walls 4, 5, as shown in Figure 1.The side walls 4, 5 define the overall length 3 of the key holder 1, with clamps 46, 47 projecting from the housing head wall 7, whose through-opening 50 is spring-loaded and closed by a pivoting clamp 52. This allows the key ring 51 to be easily inserted or removed from the key holder 1. A car key 16 is attached to the key ring 51, allowing the key holder 1 to be used together with the car key 16.

[0029] The keys 10, 11 are arranged between the side walls 4, 5 in the rest position, which is shown in Figure 1. Here, the fixing rod 25, which fixes the keys 10, 11 in the rest position, has already been moved into the working position, which is predetermined by the retaining lug 62, while the rest position is predetermined by the retaining lugs 63. Figure 1 shows that the fixing rod 25 can be easily moved in the longitudinal slots 23, 24 between the slot ends 26, 27; it will be explained further below that this is facilitated by guide rails 60 and similar auxiliary measures. These guide rails 60 are formed in the longitudinal slots 23, 24.

[0030] Between the key heads 12, which together with the key shanks 13 form the individual keys 10, 11, spacer discs 15 are arranged (Figure 1), with a single spacer disc 15 being shown in Figure 4; it also has a fastening bore 14.

[0031] The key shanks 13 rest on a transverse web 8 shown in Figure 5 and can then be secured via the fixing rod 25 when it is displaced beyond the retaining lugs 63 to the slot end 27. Such retaining lugs 62 are also provided at the opposite slot end 26.

[0032] As already explained, the clamping pin 21 can be pushed back and forth between the slot ends 26, 27 of the longitudinal slots 23, 24, with its length being dimensioned such that the fixing rod 25 can be bent out of the longitudinal slots 23, 24 without additional screwing or the like. For this purpose, the longitudinal slots 23, 24, as shown in particular in Figure 11, run between the transverse web 8 and in the longitudinal direction 9 up to the housing head wall 7, thereby just below the upper edge 28 of the side walls 4, 5.

[0033] While the terminals 46, 47 are attached to the housing head wall 7, i.e., at the longitudinal end 22, the clamping pin 21 is arranged at the opposite longitudinal end 20, which will be described further below.

[0034] Figure 2 shows an unfolded key holder 1, with a pivoted-out key shank 13 visible here. It can also be seen that the corresponding key head 12 is assigned to the clamping pin 21, which is arranged between the two end regions of the side walls 4, 5, which form a fork 30. Figure 5 further shows that the passage opening 50 formed by the two free ends 48, 49 between the clamps 46, 47 is closed by a pivoting clamp 52. The pivoting clamp 52 has two bores 53, 53' (see Figure 9), so that it applies the necessary spring force to resiliently close the passage opening 50.

[0035] While Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the key holder 1, Figure 6 shows a side view. In Figure 5, the arrangement and function of the crosspiece 8 is clarified once again, because it shows that here one key shank 13 has been pivoted away into the working position, while the other key shank 13' is still in the rest position, i.e. resting on the crosspiece 8. In Figure 6, all keys 10, 11 with their key shanks 13, 13' have been pivoted out of the rest position between the two side walls 4, 5, so that the one that is to be used can now be brought into the working position. Figure 6 also illustrates once again that the upper wall 33 of the longitudinal slot 24 is designed to be so “thin” that the fixing rod 25, which is located in the middle position here, can be removed from the longitudinal slot 23, 24 by transverse positioning if it needs to be replaced for any reason.Figure 7 shows a clamping pin 21 which can be inserted into the fork 30, which can be seen in Figure 8, the end pieces 31, 32 having bores 35, 36 into which these pin ends 37, 38 slide when congruity is achieved. In order to facilitate this sliding in, a special design of these receiving bores 35, 36 is possible according to Figure 8 and Figure 10. Firstly, a conical countersink 40 is provided on the inner side 39, so that the sliding in of the pin ends 37, 38 is made easier, while the further illustration according to Figure 10 shows that both the inner side 39 and the outer side 41 of the receiving bore 36 have conical countersinks 40, 42. The special design of the bores 35, 36 is also indicated in Figure 8.Furthermore, Figure 8 shows that there is a sufficiently large distance between the outer wall 45 of the housing head wall 7 to securely position the key ring 51 shown in Figure 1 and then secure it by the pivoting clamp 52. The holes provided for receiving this pivoting clamp are designated 53, 53'.

[0036] Figure 8 clearly illustrates the clamp 30, additionally indicating that a rectangular plate 70 is arranged between the crosspiece 8 and the housing head wall 7, filling the remaining area. However, a shopping cart chip 71 can also be used here, which is then inserted into the longitudinal slots 23, 24, as illustrated in Figure 1. These longitudinal slots 23, 24 each have guide rails 60 on the inner side 61, the width of which corresponds to the guide grooves 59, 58 shown in Figure 12.

[0037] The fixing rod 25, which advantageously fixes the key shanks 13 within the key holder 1, has a flexible outer coating 67 in the contact area 66 so that it can press the key shanks 13 against the crosspiece 8.

[0038] The grooves 58, 59 at the rod ends 56, 57 serve to guide the fixing rod 25 precisely in the longitudinal slots 23, 24. However, the fixing rod 25 can still be removed from these longitudinal slots 23, 24 because, as already mentioned several times, the upper wall 33 of the longitudinal slots 23, 24 is designed to permit this.

[0039] Figure 8 shows the rectangular plate 70 placed on the existing open space. According to Figure 11, it can be inserted into the longitudinal slot 23, 24, as can the shopping cart chip 71. The outer surfaces 68 and the rectangular plate 70 can simultaneously be used as advertising space 69. The locking rod 25 can only be activated once the rectangular plate 70 or the shopping cart chip 71 has been removed.

[0040] In order to once again illustrate how advantageously, simply and safely the key holder 1 according to the invention can be operated, Figures 1, 5 and 6 should be referred to again. Figure 1 shows the position in which the keys 10, 11 are stored between the two side walls 4, 5, with the fixing rod 25 securing them already located shortly before the working position. The keys 10, 11 can now be pivoted out of this rest position, as indicated by both Figures 5 and 6. Since the same spring force always acts on the fixing rod 25, the keys 10, 11 can always be moved equally well from one position to the other. The respective end positions of the clamping pin 21 are predetermined by the fork 30, which is formed by the side walls 4, 5.If the keys 10, 11 are now to be returned to the rest position (Figure 1), they can be pivoted back between the side walls 4, 5, whereby the crossbar 8 ensures that they arrive and remain in this rest position, then secured by the fixing rod 25 moved in the corresponding direction. If the fixing rod 25 is now to be replaced, for example, this is easily possible because the upper wall 33 of the longitudinal slots 23, 24 allows a slight bending so that the fixing rod 25 with its grooves 58, 59 can be exposed. Replacing keys 10, 11 is similarly easy, in which case the free end pieces 31, 32 of the side walls 4, 5 are then bent slightly so that one of the two pin ends 37, 38 and thus the entire clamping pin 21 can be removed from the fork 30.After replacing or adding keys 10, 11, the entire assembly with clamping pin 21 is pushed back between the fork 30, which is slightly widened so that the clamping pin 21 engages with its pin ends 37, 38 in the receiving bores 35, 36. The clamping force or spring force provided by the fork 30 then ensures that the keys 10, 11 are securely seated and thus also that the keys 10, 11 can always be pivoted evenly. For all of these individual tasks, screwing or loosening screws is not necessary.

[0041] All features mentioned, including those which can be gathered from the drawings alone, are considered essential to the invention, both individually and in combination.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Key holder (1) with a holder housing (2), the overall length (3) of which exceeds that of the keys (10, 11) stored therein and which is designed to receive a group of keys (10, 11) with a profiled key shank (13) and a key head (12) having one or more fastening bores (14), wherein the holder housing (2) has side walls (4, 5), between which a long holder (6) is mounted, which penetrates the fastening bores (14) of the keys (10, 11), and wherein displaceable spacer discs (15) are arranged between the key heads (12) on the long holder (6), and wherein the side walls (4, 5) are firmly connected to one another at the longitudinal end (22) via a housing head wall (26), and wherein a longitudinal slot (23, 24) is formed in each of the two side walls (4, 5), characterized in that the side walls (4,5) are detachably connected to one another at one of the longitudinal ends (20) via a clamping pin (21) forming the long holder (6), wherein a fixing rod (25) which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (9) of the side walls (4, 5) is arranged in the longitudinal slots (23, 24) of the two side walls (4, 5), and wherein the fixing rod (25) which is to be displaced in the longitudinal direction (19) in the longitudinal slots (23, 24) is arranged in one position so as to release the keys (10, 11) and in the other position so as to hold the keys (10, 11) between the crosspiece (8) and the two side walls (4, 5) and the fixing rod (25).

2. Key holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal slots (23, 24) are formed so as to run close to the upper edge (28) of the side walls (4, 5), while the transverse web (8), which has a width of 6-10 mm, connects the two lower edges (29) of the side walls (4, 5) centrally. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 3. Key holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (4, 5) are connected to one another via the connecting housing head wall (7) and especially the crosspiece (8) to form an expandable fork (30).

4. Key holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder housing (2) with the side walls (4, 5), the housing head wall (7) and the crossbar (8) is made of a limitedly flexible or filled plastic, which is composed of a spring force which, on the one hand, causes the free ends (31, 32) of the side walls (4, 5) to spring up and, on the other hand, causes the clamping pin (21) to spring back and fix it.

5. Key holder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping pin (21) has a diameter which is larger than that of the receiving bores (35, 36) for the clamping pin (21) in the side walls (4, 5) at the end of the fork (30), wherein its pin ends (37, 38) have a smaller diameter, which is below that of the receiving bores (35, 36).

6. Key holder according to claim 5, characterized in that the receiving bores (35, 36) for the clamping pin (21) have a conical countersink (40) on the inside (39) or also on the outside (41) of the side walls (4, 5). AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 7. Key holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing head wall (7) has two arcuate clamps (46, 47) projecting beyond its outer wall (45), the free ends (48, 49) of which are designed to leave a passage opening (50) for key chain rings (51), said passage opening (50) being closable by means of a spring-loaded pivoting clamp (52).

8. Key holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal slots (23, 24) are formed on the upper edge (28) of the side walls (4, 5) extending from the transverse web (8) to the housing head wall (7).

9. Key holder according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, characterized in that the fixing rod (25) which is displaceable in the longitudinal slots (23, 24) in the longitudinal direction (9) of the side walls (4, 5) has grooves (58, 59) at the ends of both rod ends (56, 57).

10. Key holder according to claim 9, characterized in that the running grooves (58, 59) have a width which is dimensioned to correspond to the width of the running rails (60) which are formed on the inside of the longitudinal slots (23, 24).

11. Key holder according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide rails (60) have a retaining lug (62, 63) in front of the respective slot end (26, 27), which is dimensioned and arranged to block the fixing rod (25) in the respective end position. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 12. Key holder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing rod (25) has a flexible coating (67) in the contact area (66) with the key shafts (13).

13. Key holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surfaces (68) of the side walls (4, 5) are designed and marked to form an advertising surface (69).

14. Key holder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area between the crossbar (8), the housing head wall (7) and the two side walls (4, 5) is covered by a rectangular plate (70), which also serves as an advertising surface (69').

15. Key holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal slots (23, 24) in the side walls (4, 5) are dimensioned to receive a shopping trolley chip (71) and at the same time to fix the fixing rod (25). AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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