Multi-function key holder

• US 5,956,985 A
• Filed: 11/10/1998
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gin-Sung Chang
• Original Assignee: Gin-Sung Chang
• Inventors: Chang, Gin-Sung
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/189,419
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 70/456 R, 7/168, 206/37.1, 206/38.1, 359/803, 359/809, 116/307, 116/DIG. 1, 116/DIG. 39
• US Class Current: 70/456.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/005 Fobs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/01 Combined with diverse elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8676 Key holders

Abstract

The casing of a multi-function key holder has a front casing portion which includes parallel top and bottom parts that extend forwardly and that are spaced apart vertically to define a lens receiving space therebetween, and a rear casing portion which extends rearwardly from the front casing portion and which confines an air chamber. The rear casing portion is formed with an air inlet adapted to permit blowing of air into the air chamber, and an air outlet adapted to permit releasing of the air that was blown into the air chamber, thereby permitting generation of a whistling sound output. A planar magnifying lens piece is disposed in the lens receiving space, and has an edge section mounted pivotally on the front casing portion. The lens piece is movable between a concealed position, where the lens piece is confined between the top and bottom parts of the front casing portion, and an extended position, where the lens piece is exposed from the top and bottom parts of the front casing portion. A key chain has a key holding end adapted for holding a bunch of keys thereon, and a mounting end opposite to the key holding end and mounted on the casing.

Claims

1. A multi-function key holder, comprising:

a casing having a front casing portion which includes parallel top and bottom parts that extend forwardly and that are spaced apart vertically to define a lens receiving space therebetween, and a rear casing portion which extends rearwardly from said front casing portion and which confines an air chamber, said rear casing portion being formed with an air inlet adapted to permit blowing of air into said air chamber, and an air outlet adapted to permit releasing of the air that was blown into said air chamber, thereby permitting generation of a whistling sound output;

a planar magnifying lens piece disposed in said lens receiving space and having an edge section mounted pivotally on said front casing portion, said lens piece being movable between a concealed position, where said lens piece is confined between said top and bottom parts of said front casing portion, and an extended position, where said lens piece is exposed from said top and bottom parts of said front casing portion; and

a key chain having a key holding end adapted for holding a bunch of keys thereon, and a mounting end opposite to said key holding end and mounted on said casing.

2. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing has a longitudinal axis that extends from said front casing portion to said rear casing portion, said air inlet being disposed on the longitudinal axis at one end of said rear casing portion distal to said front casing portion.

3. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rear casing portion includes upper and lower parts having front ends that are connected to said front casing portion and rear ends that cooperatively define said air inlet, said air outlet being transverse to the longitudinal axis and being formed in said upper part.

4. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein said rear end of said lower part of said rear casing portion is raised relative to said front end of said lower part of said rear casing portion.

5. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein said casing includes an upper casing wall having said top part of said front casing portion and said upper part of said rear casing portion formed thereon, and a lower casing wall having said bottom part of said front casing portion and said lower part of said rear casing portion formed thereon.

6. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein said upper and lower casing walls are made of plastic and are bonded integrally to each other.

7. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein one of said top and bottom parts of said front casing portion is formed with a mounting socket, the other one of said top and bottom parts of said front casing portion is formed with a stub that extends through said edge section of said lens piece and that engages said mounting socket, thereby mounting pivotally said lens piece on said front casing portion.

8. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said top and bottom parts of said front casing portion has a notched periphery to facilitate moving of said lens piece from the concealed position to the extended position.

9. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lens piece is formed with a dented surface that is registered with said notched periphery when said lens piece is in the concealed position.

10. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said edge section of said lens piece is mounted pivotally on one end of said front casing portion distal to said rear casing portion.

11. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front casing portion has one end distal to said rear casing portion and formed with a lateral ring projection for mounting of said key chain thereon.

12. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top part of said front casing portion has an upper side formed with a receiving cavity, said key holder further comprising a compass mounted in said receiving cavity.

13. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing has a bottom side formed with a positioning cavity, said key holder further comprising a thermometer mounted in said positioning cavity.

14. The multi-function key holder as claimed in claim 13, wherein said casing has a longitudinal axis that extends from said front casing portion to said rear casing portion, said positioning cavity being parallel to the longitudinal axis.