Ring-type holder

• US 3,913,362 A
• Filed: 07/22/1974
• Issued: 10/21/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David P. Lage, John G. Goessling
• Original Assignee: David P. Lage, John G. Goessling
• Inventors: Goessling, John G., Lage, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US05/490,502
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 70/456R,456B,457,458,459 40/1R,1D,156,157,159 85/8.8 24/3K
• US Class Current: 70/459
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/00 Key-rings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8757 Releasable catches

Abstract

A ring-type holder for keys and the like has a metal ring with spaced apart ends and a closure member provided with a slot into which the ends of the ring fit. The ring and closure member are interlocked within the slot to retain keys or other objects on the ring. The closure member has a recess into which a lens is fitted to hold a photograph or written material in place behind the lens. Apertures open into the recess from the slot so that the end of the ring can be inserted into the slot and thence through the aperture to apply a force against the back of the lens for dislodging the lens.

Claims

1. A ring-type holder for keys and the like, said holder comprising:

a ring having spaced apart ends;

a closure member having a slot into which the ends of the ring fit and being detachably engaged with the closure member within the slot to retain objects on the ring, the closure member further having a recess and apertures providing access to the base of the recess; and

a detachable element in the recess and engaged at its periphery by the closure member, the detachable element covering the aperture in the base of the recess, whereby the element can be dislodged from the recess by inserting an implement through the aperture and applying a force to the back face of the element.

2. A holder according to claim 1 wherein the element is a lens.

3. A holder according to claim 2 wherein the aperture is large enough to receive one of the ends of the ring so that the ring may be used to dislodge the lens.

4. A holder according to claim 3 wherein the aperture also opens into the slot and is accessible from the slot.

5. A holder according to claim 4 wherein the ring has an end portion which is longer than the width of the slot, the ring further being provided with a fulcrum surface at one end of the end portion and being configured so that when the fulcrum surface is positioned against the side surface defining the slot opposite from the aperture, the entire ring can be pivoted on that side surface to project the end portion into the aperture to dislodge the lens.

6. A holder according to claim 2 wherein the ring has loop portion, spaced apart clamping positions which are joined to the loop portion and bow outwardly, and diverging end portions which merge into the clamping portions;

wherein the closure member has a connecting segment which is normally embraced by the clamping portions of the ring; and

wherein at least one of the end portions is capable of fitting through the aperture to dislodge the lens.

7. A holder according to claim 6 wherein the aperture also opens into the slot and the width of the slot at the aperture is less than the length of said one end portion on the ring.

8. A holder according to claim 7 wherein said one end portion merges into the adjoining clamping portion on the ring at a generally convex fulcrum surface and whereby the ring and closure member are configured such that when said one end portion is in the slot with its free end in the aperture and the fulcrum surface against the closure member directly opposite the slot, the ring can be pivoteD on its fulcrum surface such that said free end moves through the aperture and applies a force to the back of the lens.

9. A holder according to claim 8 wherein the back of the lens is substantially parallel to the major surfaces of the slot.

10. A holder according to claim 8 wherein the recess is bounded by a continuous slight groove, and the periphery of the lens is in the groove.