Key assembly

• US 7,181,939 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mike T. Andersen
• Original Assignee: Mike T. Andersen
• Inventors: Andersen, Mike T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US10/915,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20060032279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 703/95, 704/08, 702/76, 704/13, 70/16, 704/56.R, 704/59, 704/60, 704/00, 704/03, 704/04, 24/661, 243/03
• US Class Current: 70/395
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/32 Bags or wallets for holding keys key-holding inserts A45C13/023
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/00 Keys; Accessories therefor key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10; making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/04 Construction of the bow or head of the key; Attaching the bow to the shank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7802 Multi-part structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7853 Tubular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7876 Bow or head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7904 Magnetic features
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8757 Releasable catches

Abstract

A key assembly includes a key, a cap and a fastener to selectively secure the cap to the key. The cap may include an opening for receiving a key ring, or other structure, therethrough. In one embodiment, the key includes a grip, and the cap and grip cooperate to enclose the key when the cap is secured in place.

Claims

1. A key assembly comprising:

a key body configured to open and close a lock, wherein the key body has a circular cross-section;

a grip integrally formed with the key body;

a protective sheath defining an opening dimensioned to receive the key body, wherein the protective sheath is not capable of being locked by the key body;

a first magnet associated with the key body;

a second magnet associated with the protective sheath;

wherein the protective sheath and the grip are selectively fastened together through interaction of the first magnet and the second magnet; and

wherein the grip has a substantially symmetrical exterior surface with respect to an exterior surface of the protective sheath when the grip is fastened to the protective sheath.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective sheath is an integral member without any moving parts.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the key assembly has an approximately elliptical cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the key assembly when the protective sheath and the grip are fastened together.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the exterior surface of the protective sheath has an approximately elliptical half cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the protective sheath.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the exterior surface of the grip has an approximately elliptical half cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the grip.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the key body is hidden from view when the protective sheath and the grip are fastened together.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the key assembly has an uninterrupted exterior surface contour when the protective sheath and the grip are fastened together.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the opening is shaped to prevent rotation of the key body with respect to the protective sheath.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the key body includes a flange that is received in the opening to prevent rotation of the grip with respect to the protective sheath.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first magnet has a circular cross-section.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the first magnet and the key body are concentric.

12. A key assembly comprising:

a key body configured to open and close a lock;

a grip integrally formed with the key body;

a protective sheath defining an opening dimensioned to receive the key body, wherein the protective sheath is an integral member without any moving parts;

a clasping mechanism configured to selectively fasten the grip and the protective sheath together;

wherein the grip has an approximately elliptical half cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the grip; and

wherein the protective sheath has an approximately elliptical half cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the protective sheath.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the key body is hidden from view when the protective sheath and the grip are fastened together.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein an exterior surface of the key assembly has a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface contour when the protective sheath and the grip are fastened together.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the opening is shaped to prevent rotation of the grip with respect to the protective sheath.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the key body includes a flange that is received in the opening to prevent rotation of the grip with respect to the protective sheath.

17. A key assembly comprising:

a key body configured to open and close a lock;

wherein the key body has a circular cross-section;

a grip integrally formed with the key body;

a protective sheath defining an opening dimensioned to receive the key body, wherein the protective sheath is not capable of being locked by the key body and includes no moving parts;

a first magnet associated with the key body;

a second magnet associated with the protective sheath;

wherein the protective sheath and the grip are selectively fastened together through interaction of the first magnet and the second magnet;

wherein the key body is hidden from view when the protective sheath and the grip are fastened together; and

wherein the key assembly has an approximately elliptical cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the key assembly when the protective sheath and the grip are fastened together.