Patent US3046010A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3677044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keycase
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-05
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A thin, rectangular keycase divided into four substantially triangular compartments, each of which can be opened independently of the others. The top surface of each compartment is formed tactually distinct from the other compartments which in combination with a spring release and snap latching mechanism enables one-handed retrieval and return to the keycase of any selected key.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul T De Frees
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 00:30
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C11/00; A45C11/32; A45C11/323; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/80; Y10T70/8432; Y10T70/8676
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A keycase, comprising: a key carrying plate; at least one hinge support member mounted on a substantially diagonal line of said plate; lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said hinge support member and closing with said plate to define a pair of opposite key compartments therewith; means for mounting a key in each said compartment; and means for opening a selected lid without opening any other lid whereby a key in one only of said compartments may be made available.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A keycase, comprising: a key carrying plate; at least one hinge support member mounted on a substantially diagonal line of said plate; lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said hinge support member and closing with said plate to define a pair of opposite key compartments therewith; means for mounting a key in each said compartment; and means for opening a selected lid without opening any other lid whereby a key in one only of said compartments may be made available.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
A keycase, comprising: a key carrying plate; at least one hinge support member mounted on a substantially diagonal line of said plate; lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said hinge support member and closing with said plate to define a pair of opposite key compartments therewith; means for mounting a key in each said compartment; and means for opening a selected lid without opening any other lid whereby a key in one only of said compartments may be made available; said plate being substantially rectangular to provide substantially triangular key compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A keycase, comprising: a key carrying plate; at least one hinge support member mounted on a substantially diagonal line of said plate; lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said hinge support member and closing with said plate to define a pair of opposite key compartments therewith; means for mounting a key in each said compartment; and means for opening a selected lid without opening any other lid whereby a key in one only of said compartments may be made available; said plate being substantially rectangular to provide substantially triangular key compartments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention according to claim 1 including a second hinge support member mounted on a substantially diagonal line on the opposite side of said plate, and lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said second hinge support member and closing with said plate to define therewith a separate pair of opposite key compartments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
A keycase, comprising: a key carrying plate; at least one hinge support member mounted on a substantially medial line of said plate; a second hinge support member mounted on a substantially medial line on the opposite side of said plate cross-wise of each other; lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said one hinge support member and closing with said plate to define a first pair of opposite key compartments therewith; lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said second hinge support member and closing with said plate to define a second pair of opposite key compartments; means for mounting a key in each said compartment; and means for opening a selected lid without opening any other lid whereby a key in one only of said compartments may be made available.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
A keycase, comprising: a key carrying plate; at least one hinge support member mounted on a substantially medial line of said plate; a second hinge support member mounted on a substantially medial line on the opposite side of said plate cross-wise of each other; lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said one hinge support member and closing with said plate to define a first pair of opposite key compartments therewith; lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said second hinge support member and closing with said plate to define a second pair of opposite key compartments; means for mounting a key in each said compartment; and means for opening a selected lid without opening any other lid whereby a key in one only of said compartments may be made available.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention according to claim 2 including a second hinge support member mounted on a substantially diagonal line on the opposite side of said plate crosswise of said first-mentioned hinge support member, and lids hingedly connected to opposite sides of said second hinge support member closing with said plate to define therewith a second pair of substantially triangular key compartments opening crosswise of said first-mentioned key compartments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention according to claim 1 in which the outer edges of said plate are substantially free from protrusions whereby a key may freely slide along said plate out of its compartment when the lid thereon is opened.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 1 including a latch for each lid, each lid latch cooperating with said plate to individually close each said lid therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention according to claim 1 including a connector for each key terminating in a pivot pin and ball, and a pivot post for each ball mounted on said plate at the inner corner of each of said compartments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 1 in which said lid opening means comprises a spring mounted on said hinge support member and cooperating with said lid whereby to open said lid when released from a closed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 8 in which each said connector comprises a pair of flat members sandwiching said key and connected to said pivot pin to thereby facilitate sliding of said key along said plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |