Snap-on key cover

• US 5,113,602 A
• Filed: 11/16/1990
• Issued: 05/19/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc., General Automotive Specialty Co., Inc. (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Automotive Specialty Co., Inc. (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Murphy, Douglas A., Bellwoar, George, Levine, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): SILBERMANN, JOANNE
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonifanti, J.
• Application Number:
  US07/614,631
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 40/634, 40/330, 40/159.2, 40/152, 70/456 R, 70/460, 70/461
• US Class Current: 40/634
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/24 Key distinguishing marks fluorescent E05B17/106
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/08 Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself

Abstract

A key cover comprises a hinged frame and two removably insertable insignia plates for bearing an identifying mark or logo. The frame has a recess for accommodating the head of the key and a locking means which retains the cover on the key head when the frame is folded over onto itself. The insignia plates include bosses which extend through the key ring hole of the key, for preventing the key from pivoting within the cover. The plates are inserted into openings in the frame, the key blade is inserted between the hinges and the frame is folded over onto itself. Pressure on the frame engages the locking means, which retains the cover on the key head.

Claims

1. A cover for the head of a key, comprising:

a frame, said frame having two halves connected by a hinge arrangement having a central opening, so that a key blade may fit therein but sufficiently small so that the key head cannot pass through it, each of said halves having a key-ring-receiving opening, said key ring receiving openings being aligned when said frame is folded over onto itself, whereby a key blade may be inserted into said opening and the frame folded over onto itself and locked into position so that the head of the key is covered;

at least one insertable insignia plate comprising a face for bearing an insignia, said face being mounted on a base which is wider than said face, said base also having a back;

at least one of said halves having an insignia-plate-receiving opening, said opening having a lip causing said insignia-plate-receiving opening to be narrower than said base;

said insignia plate being removably insertable into said insignia-plate-receiving opening, said plate prevented from passing through said insignia-plate-receiving opening by said lip.

2. The key cover of claim 1, wherein said insignia plate includes a key-head-retaining means for holding the key head stationary within the cover, said key-head-retaining means extending from said base back and adapted to fit within a key ring hole in the key head.

3. The key cover of the claim 2, wherein said key-head-retaining means comprises a boss on the back of said plate.

4. The key cover of claim 3, wherein each of said frame ha has an opening for receiving said insignia plate.

5. The key cover of claim 4, wherein each insignia plate has a boss, said bosses forming a circular element which extends through the key ring hole when said insignia plates are inserted in said plate-receiving openings and said frame is folded onto itself.

6. The key cover of claim 5, wherein each of said bosses is aligned off center with respect to the key head, said bosses serving to hold the key stationary within the cover.

7. The key cover of claim 3 having a boss on each insignia plate, each boss being circular and having a height that is less than half the thickness of the key head, said bosses being arranged in substantial alignment to face each other when said insignia plates are inserted in said plate-receiving openings and said frame is folded onto itself.